lawn had a very similar experience, and there 

 were times when we feared the Swallows would 

 give up and leave. One pair had a specially 

 trying time, as the Sparrows remaining through 

 the winter had taken possession of their nesting 

 place when they returned in the spring. And 

 all this time constant efforts were being made 

 to get rid of the Sparrows. 



This is one of the first and one of the most 

 persistent difficulties of those who try to attract 

 the birds, and it has discouraged many a young 

 bird lover, frequently causing him to give up 

 trying to attract the birds or furnishing nest 

 boxes for them, for he sees that his efforts are 

 merely increasing the number of European 

 Sparrows. It is a difficulty which must be 

 overcome if our native birds are to nest near 

 us. 



Apart from this the European Sparrow is an 

 objectionable bird about the farms, for it de- 

 vours much grain in the barn and the fields, es- 

 pecially wheat, a product the country now can 

 ill afford to spare. A reliable ornithologist 

 states that a flock of fifty of these Sparrows will 

 eat a quart of wheat or its equivalent each day. 



To rid the premises of European Sparrows 

 [184] 



