IN AMERICA. 59 



1877. Samuels, E. A. Butcher Birds and Sparrows 

 [Passer domesticus]. Boston Transci'ipt^ Feb. 

 3, 1877. 



Denunciatory of the Sparrow, and advocating the 

 butcher birds as destroyers of the nuisance. ' The bird 

 will unquestionably prove as great a nuisance in this 

 country as it has been found in Europe, and I doubt not 

 a bounty will at some time be offered for its head. . . . 

 The English sparrow has driven away all our own pretty 

 and interesting and musical birds, and I almost wish for 

 a visitation from some immense host of " butcher-birds " 

 to finish them.' 



1878. COUES, E. The Sparrow [Passer domesticus] Pest. 

 The Cou7itry^ Jan. 19, 1878. 



Citing the observations of Dr. Sacc, Rev. et Mag. de 

 Zool. xii. p. 94, in evidence of the extraordinary fecundity 

 of these birds. A female laid 35 eggs in as many days. (!) 



1878, Gentry. T. G. The House Sparrow at Home and 

 Abroad, with some concluding remarks upon its 

 usefulness, and copious references to the htera- 

 ture of the subject. By Thomas G. Gentry, Phila- 

 delphia, 1878. With coloured frontispiece of 

 Passer domesticus. 



One of the good results of the controversy has been 

 the appearance of this work, in which the whole subject 

 is set forth at full length, in clear light, with every regard 

 for impartiality. Mr. Gentry's careful and critical survey 

 of the situation renders his presentation of the case con- 

 clusive. All the charges that have been brought against 

 the sparrow are discussed and substantiated, while due 

 weight is given to the other side of the question. It is a 

 very useful book, which should be widely circulated. 



