316 NATURE STUDY AND LIFF 



and of giving them a chance to do the work of insect 

 destruction for which our natural conditions had developed 

 them, there would have been no serious insect outbreaks, 

 such as are now so frequent. It is coming to be a well- 

 recognized observation that insect scourges occur where 

 the sparrows are most numerous. The gypsy moth in 



the sparrows' gregarious habits, and the fact that they drive off other birds 

 from localities where they are numerous, much might be done even in the 

 South. 



Sparrows are such suspicious and cunning birds that, if the strychnized 

 grain be exposed at first, they will probably roll each kernel in their bills, 

 taste it, reject it, and possibly refuse to touch it again that winter. The 

 best way is to select a safe place, where the wind is not likely to scatter it, 

 a walk, driveway, or porch roof with a smooth surface, so that the grain 

 may be swept up after each trial. Accustom them to feeding there daily 

 with grain exactly like that which is medicated (I often do this for a week 

 or even a month, until all the sparrows in the neighborhood are wont to 

 come regularly), study the times when they come for their meals, and then 

 on a cold, dry morning after a heavy snowstorm, having swept up all the 

 good grain the night before, wait until they have gathered, and then put 

 down enough strychnized grain to feed the entire flock. You have about 

 ten minutes before any begin to drop, and those that have not partaken of 

 the grain by this time will probably be frightened off ; but, by timing it prop- 

 erly, I have repeatedly caught every sparrow in the flock. I have found 

 morning the best time, as they all come then ; and it is essential to success 

 to select a dry day, since in wet weather they taste the strychnine too 

 quickly; I have seen them actually throw it out of the crop. 



With this simple method at command, by concerted action a few friends 

 of our native birds can rid any northern city of the sparrow pest in a single 

 winter. This is no more than parents ought to be willing to do, if not for 

 the sake of the native birds, at least to clear the way for the children to do 

 effective work in their behalf. And if any continue to think English spar- 

 rows worthy of protection, despite all the evidence in hand, they should 

 protect them in cages on their own premises, and be placed under heavy 

 bonds never to let them out. 



It is not intended that the children should do this work, but the 

 necessary information has been given for the use of parents or teachers. 



