16 



In northern latitudes the best time to put out poison is just after a snow- 

 storm, when other food is covered. The feeding place should be cleared 

 of snow and the poison laid early in the morning. The poison should be 

 well scattered, so that many birds may be able to partake at the same 

 time, since after a few are affected their actions excite the suspicion of 

 their comrades. Usually a few sparrows get only enough strychnine to 

 paralyze them for a few hours, after which they recover. It is important, 

 therefore, to visit the feeding places a short time after distributing poison 

 to prevent such birds from escaping. It is well, also, to remove dead 

 birds promptly to avoid exciting the suspicions of those that are un- 

 affected. In deciding the amount of poisoned wheat to put out at one 

 time, it is well to estimate the number of sparrows frequenting a feeding 

 place, and to allow about 20 kernels for each sparrow. Although 2 

 kernels of wheat cdated with the solution described below have been 

 known to kill a sparrow, 6 or 7 kernels are required to insure fatal re- 

 sults, and much more than a fatal dose is frequently taken. The sparrows 

 that recover after taking poison or that become frightened by the death 

 of comrades, will forsake a feeding place if poison is kept there constantly. 

 If, therefore, one wishes merely to keep them off his land he can do so 

 by maintaining a supply of poisoned bait for them. On the other hand, 

 if extermination is the object sought, unpoisoned bait should be put 

 out after each killing until the birds have recovered confidence. There 

 is an advantage in having several feeding grounds that may be used in 

 rotation with different kinds of bait. Under these circumstances the 

 sparrows forget their fear of each feeding ground while the others in 

 turn are baited. Only as much poison should be put out as is likeh^ to 

 be eaten in one day, since exposure to moisture reduces its virulence. 

 Any grain coated by the above process and left on the ground will become 

 harmless after a few rains. ^ 



During several years Dr. C. F. Hodge, formerly of Clark 

 University, Worcester, organized a very effective campaign in 

 Worcester for destroying English sparrows. His poison formula 

 is as follows: Dissolve one-eighth of an ounce of powdered 

 strychnine sulphate in one-half pint of boiling water. He gives 

 the following directions for using his formula : — 



Pour this, while hot, over two quarts of wheat (or cracked corn), stir 

 well, and continue stirring from time to time, until all the liquid is ab- 

 sorbed. Dry thoroughly, without scorching, and put away in some safe 

 receptacle, labeled "Poisoned Grain. Strj^chnine". . . . Expose the 

 grain where poultry and tame pigeons cannot get it, and by operating 

 only during the winter there will be no danger of poisoning seed-eating 



1 Dearborn, Ned, The English Sparrow as a Pest, U. S. Dept. of Agr., Farmers' Bulletin 493, 

 1912, pp. 20-23. 



