132 Estabrook, The English Sparrow Problem. [ April 



the country, no lasting, permanent effect is secured. The methods 

 used are mostly that of poisoned grain, destroying nests and young, 

 and shooting. 



4. What influence have you observed the English Sparrow to 

 have upon native birds? 



The influence of the sparrow upon native birds is the crucial 

 point in this discussion. It is not a question of how many insects 

 it eats; it is whether our native birds would be better off without 

 the intruder or not. There were two people, who liked to see the 

 bird about in winter, when the other birds were away. A larger 

 number honestly believed that the bird was doing a good service 

 in the eating of weed seed. These few, however, admitted that 

 the English Sparrow did attack and harass other birds. The rest 

 of the letters were against the sparrow. Many give personal 

 experiences of the sparrow's pugnacity and plead for a sure and 

 certain method to get rid of the species. Others are up and doing 

 and are killing off thousands each year, by poison and the gun. I 

 will quote here three extracts : 



"I have frequently observed that the English Sparrow chased 

 the Robins off the State College Campus (Harrisburgh), and last 

 year at my residence on the Penn. State College, I saw a male 

 sparrow kill and drop from the nest four young Pewees, about a 

 week or two old. The parents which are recognized as being 

 among the most insectivorous birds, were entirely helpless in the 

 presence of the intruder and destroyer of their young." — H. H. 

 Surface, Pa. 



"Have seen them rob Bluebirds' nests, drive away Robins, 

 Wrens, and Crested Flycatchers." — H. Link, Indiana. 



"The Purple Martins long disputed the possession of their boxes 

 with the sparrows but eventually were compelled to give them at 

 least half the compartments in each box. The Swallows and Blue- 

 birds were driven out nearly altogether for many years, but of 

 recent years have made increased use of the boxes. The Purple 

 Martins are practically gone, and I doubt if the Bluebirds or Swal- 

 lows would be allowed to nest, if the sparrows occupying the boxes 

 were not turned out and their nests destroyed, as I have been in the 

 habit of doing." — - James II. Fleming, Toronto, Ontario. 



5. Would public opinion in your locality favor the adoption of 

 effective measures to exterminate the species? 



