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OF THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND MAMMALOGIST. 423 
EXPERIMENTS IN POISONING. 
By Dr, A. K. Fisnmr, Assistant Ornithologtst. 
So little definite information is available concerning practical 
~ methods of destroying injurious species of birds and mammals by 
oisons, and so many letters of inquiry have been received by the’ 
epartment asking for detailed instructions on the subject, that it 
has been found necessary to conduct a series of experiments in order 
to obtain the desired information. It was important to determine 
not only what poison is most efficient and best adapted for the pur- 
pose, but also the most economical poison, the quantity necessary 
for use, and the simplest method of preparation. As an easily 
accessible and hardy bird, and one which could be procured in any 
desired numbers, the English Sparrow was selected as the first 
‘species to be experimented upon. <A large number of healthy 
English sparrows were secured and confined in large cages. The 
were given an abundance of food and water during the time covere 
by the experiments, so that they might not be forced from hunger 
to partake of the poisoned grain. 
POISONS USED IN THE EXPERIMENTS. 
The following poisons were used in the experiments : 
Strychnine. 
Arsenic. 
Corrosive sublimate. 
Of strychnine, two preparations were used : 
Crystals of strychnine. 
Tincture of nux vomica. 
Of arsenic, the following preparations were used : 
Arsenious oxide (white arsenic). ‘ 
Arsenite of copper (Paris green). 
Arsenite of calcium (London purple). 
Arseniate of soda. 
Lig. Potassii arsenitis (Fowler’s solution). 
POISONS RECOMMENDED. 
The results of these experiments have led to the recommendation 
of the following formule as simple, efficacious, and inexpensive: 
ARSENIC.—One part by weight of white arsenic to fifteen parts of corn meal or 
grain. (Paris green and London purple would be just as valuable as white arsenic, 
except for their bright color, which arouses the sparrow’s suspicion.) 
Directions.—lf corn meal is used, the arsenic should be stirred in dry, and the 
mixture afterward moistened. It should be fed moist. If whole grain is used, it 
should be moistened before stirring in the arsenic. It will be found advantageous 
to add a little gum arabic to the water used to moisten the grain, as it causes the 
oison to adhere more firmly to the kernels. It should be dried before using. 
ik is preferable to all other grain, because the sparrows feed upon it more 
eagerly. 
STRYCHNINE.— Dissolve 2 grams of strychnine in a liter of hot water. (Ordinarily 
strychnine is put up in bottles containing one-eighth of an ounce. Half of the con- 
tents of one of these bottles, dissolved in a quart of hot water. gives a solution 
of the desired strength.) ‘ 
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