112 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



that have not partaken of the grain by this time 

 will probably be frightened off; but by timing 

 it properly I have repeatedly caught every spar- 

 row 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 easily ; 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 do for the sake of the native birds, and 

 if not for their sake, at least to clear the way for 

 the children to do effective work in their behalf." 



In a Farmers' Bulletin on " How to Destroy the 

 English Sparrow," an even stronger solution of 

 poison is recommended: "Put one eighth ounce 

 of strychnia sulphate into three fourths of a gill 

 of hot water and boil until dissolved. Moisten 1^ 

 teaspoonfuls of starch with a few drops of cold 

 water, add it to the poison solution, and heat till 

 the starch thickens. Pour the hot poisoned starch 

 solution over 1 quart of wheat and stir till every 

 kernel is coated. Small-kerneled wheat sold as 

 poultry-food is preferable to first quality grain, 

 being cheaper and more easily eaten by the spar- 



rows." 



