6 



tion for the protection of birds, conserves practically all small 

 land birds, but finds it necessary to destroy this sparrow in 

 order to give the other birds a chance. The tremendous de- 

 struction to grain in the fields caused by this sparrow in grain- 

 growing regions, its cost to poultrymen, its injuries to fruit 

 and garden crops are well known. Where it has become 

 too numerous it has destroyed quantites of fruit, including 

 grapes, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, 

 peaches, apples, pears, plums, tomatoes, apricots and figs. 

 Young plants, including peas, beans, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, 

 corn and other vegetables, are torn to pieces or eaten to 

 the ground. Garden seeds, including those of many vegetables 

 and flowers, are dug up when planted or eaten from the 

 stalk. There are few garden fruits or vegetables that do 

 not suffer more or less from the attacks of this bird. Buds 

 and blossoms of numerous plants are destroyed by it. Its 

 filthy habits, which injure buildings, vegetation and clothing, 

 constitute a minor annoyance, but its chief fault, as indicated 

 above, is the molestation and destruction in the breeding season 

 of harmless native birds of far more value to agriculture than 

 itself. It is not necessary to repeat here the overwhelming 

 testimony in regard to this that may be found in any of the 

 three volumes hereinbefore cited. My own experience is con- 

 vincing. During the last forty years I have seen it drive out 

 the great flocks of snow buntings that once fed freely in city 

 streets, and evict all species that nest in bird houses. Where 

 it once gets a foothold in the bird houses it drives out all 

 other bird tenants in the end. It destroys their nests, eggs 

 and young, and it has been known to destroy wantonly the 

 eggs, nests and young of many birds that do not nest in boxes. 

 It appropriates the nests of swallows, robins, warblers and other 

 birds, and has driven out swallows, martins and wrens from 

 large areas. The cliff swallows or eaves swallows and house 

 wrens formerly common in many parts of Massachusetts are 

 rare now in a large part of the State, and this can be attributed 

 directly to persecution by the sparrow. What has happened 

 in Massachusetts has occurred over large sections in other 

 States. In warmer regions than this, where the winters are not 

 so severe as here, and the sparrows increase rapidly' in numbers, 

 the effect of their presence on native species is even more 



