THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 35 



For many years our lawn and shade trees had been in- 

 fested by measuring worms, much to the annoyance of 

 pedestrians. Nothing could he done to remedy the 

 matter. The nuisance became yearly worse and worse. 

 The good effects of the sparrows, in other cities, in rid- 

 ding the squares and parks of insect-pests, were too well 

 known through the public papers to allow of much 

 hesitation upon the part of the people. Councils 

 wore petitioned for relief. For many long months the 

 question was agitated, but seemingly with little hope of 

 a speedy settlement. At this crisis Mr. Bardsley was 

 projecting a visit to his native land. Sympathizing with 

 his city brethren, preparatory to starting upon his 

 journey he sought an interview with leading council- 

 men in relation to bringing over a goodly number of 

 birds on his return. Nothing satisfactory was elicited. 

 Having completed his arrangements, Mr. Bardsley sailed 

 for England, determining, should he reach home, to col- 

 lect a thousand or tw r o of birds at his own expense, and 

 present them to the city of his adoption. In due season 

 he reached Ashtou, his native town, and had actually 

 commenced work when he received the startling yet 

 doubtless joyful intelligence that the sparrow difficulty 

 had been settled by Councils, and he was the city's 

 authorized agent. With his characteristic zeal and 

 energy Mr. Bardsley applied himself vigorously to the 

 task, and, with the assistance of several lads, succeeded 

 in obtaining, in the course of a few days, more than a 

 thousand birds. Having secured his cargo, and every- 

 thing being in readiness, he sailed from Liverpool, and 

 after many trials and a few vicissitudes of fortune, 

 reached Philadelphia early in March. His numerous 

 and troublesome charges were at once surrendered to 



