THE .TREE SPARROW 



185 



repressive measures, but we urge the destruction of all sparrow 

 nests in trees in the best interests of the aboriculturist. 



In recent years pheasant-rearing fields and concomitantly 

 pheasant and other winged game feeding-places, also poultry-rear- 

 ing grounds and farms, have been greatly multiplied and extended, 

 so that sparrows have been encouraged in localities where not 

 formerly noticeable and destructive, and from necessity of circum- 

 stances nesting and roosting in trees ; therefore regarded by not 

 a few persons as tree sparrows. So great nuisances do these become 

 that gamekeepers and poultrymen have recourse to trapping with 

 some success, though sparrows, whether house or tree, are ever wary, 

 and soon learn by fate of victims to keep clear of the cleverest 

 devices. 



One of the most useful traps is the wire cage, Fig. 109, con- 

 sisting of light iron frames covered with galvanized wire-netting. 



COPYRIGHT. 



FIG. 109. BOULTON & PAUL'S WIRE CAGE OR TRAP. 



It is made in three sizes, No. 2 being the one suitable for 

 sparrows. It is 3 ft. 6 in. long, 2 feet, 6 in. wide, 2 feet 6 in. high, 

 and covered with f-in. mesh netting. There is a pocket or 

 mouth (the trap may be made with a mouth on each side instead 

 of one) by which the birds enter, and so constructed that they do 

 not appear to be able to find the outlet, a very small percentage 

 escaping. Before setting the trap the ground should be well baited 

 with hempseed and the top left off so that the birds may feed inside 

 as well as about the frame. When the birds are freely using it, bait 

 well inside and put on the top and cover it with dry fern or fir- 

 boughs, to make less conspicuous, sprinkling a little bait around 

 outside. If placed where sparrows congregate, large numbers 

 may be caught, more especially the young birds in May and June, 

 and in frosty weather, and other harmless birds being caught they 

 may be set at liberty unhurt. 



The BUNTING. Inflicting some damage on corn crops, this bird 

 is more or less injurious to the farmer, but, esteemed as a delicacy 

 for the table, is not likely to increase inordinately. The capture 

 of buntings is effected by dragging a long net of a certain con- 



