108 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



and the numbers of the sparrows were so reduced 

 that they did not interfere with the breeding of 

 the native birds, which increased greatly in num- 

 bers with the growth of trees and parks. At the 

 close of the winter's work there were never left 

 more than thirty or forty sparrows, and some- 

 times even fewer. Mr. Bond has kindly contrib- 

 uted the following note regarding his experiences : 



" I used whole wheat, well poisoned, as fol- 

 lows : Take one dram of strychnine crystals 

 (usually sold in one-dram bottles) and thoroughly 

 dissolve in one quart of water by boiling, using 

 boiling water to begin with. A much more expe- 

 ditious way would be to first dissolve the strych- 

 nine in an ounce or two of boiling vinegar, then 

 add to the boiling water and boil well. Then add 

 the wheat, enough to have the same just covered 

 by the ' hell-broth/ set away until the water is 

 entirely absorbed. The wheat will swell greatly. 

 Then take out and dry carefully. I put the grain 

 into a large dripping-pan, preparing several 

 quarts at a time, and put into a warm oven stir- 

 ring constantly to prevent scorching until per- 

 fectly dry. The grain will return to normal size 

 and color, and one grain will kill an English 

 sparrow in three minutes, often before it gets 

 even into the crop. 



"I scattered this grain sparingly where the 



