32 



This sparrow should be shot or trapped upon all possible occa- 

 sions and its eggs and young destroyed whenever found. But the 

 utmost care should be taken not to confound this species with 

 our native sparrows, which are highly beneficial. Farmers will be 

 obliged to protect their grain, fruit or poultry at times from 

 the attacks of birds. This should be done as far as possible by 

 using means to drive away the intruders rather than to kill them. 



There is no doubt that the robin and the " cherry bird" pay a 

 higher price to the farmer for his fruit than he can get in the open 

 market, or that the owls render services far more valuable to the 

 farmer than the few chickens they consume. Specialists, such as 

 poultry-men or small fruit-growers, may suffer unduly at times, 

 but they are generally fully capable of protecting their own 

 interests. 



The general farmer will do well to offer all possible protection 

 to birds, for in so doing he will materially benefit his own fortunes. 



E. H. FORBUSH, 



Ornithologist. 



