406 RELATIONS OF BIRDS TO AGRICULTURE 



way. Some Englishmen have objected to this bird being referred 

 to as "English sparrow "; hence the above more correct appella- 

 tion. This introduced pest probably can not be exterminated, 

 but its numbers about a dwelling, and even in towns, may be 

 materially lessened. 



Trapping. A wire " sparrow trap" now on the market is 

 used with some success, occasionally catching ten or eleven birds 

 in one morning. They finally learn to avoid this trap, and con- 

 sequently its location has to be changed. Young birds, as one 

 would expect, are more susceptible to trapping than old birds. 



Shooting. Cooperation on the part of the neighbors in shoot- 

 ing these birds and destroying their nests, in one locality, met 





FIG. 398. The common tern. (After Fuertes.) 



with such success that an offer of fifty dollars by a citizen for a 

 specimen captured or shot within the city limits was not claimed. 

 Repeated destruction of their nests and shooting them as they 

 seek the cornices of a dwelling for roosting eventually cause them 

 to leave. 



In the country, where one can use a shotgun, these birds may 

 be " baited" in winter by feeding wheat placed on the ground in 

 a line for several mornings; then rake the feeding birds with a 

 charge of shot. 



Poisoning. Poisoned wheat or cornmeal can be used. A 

 little powdered strychnine is added to the grain in a shallow box. 

 Put the box on the end of a pole five or six feet from the ground. 

 This will prevent poultry from being poisoned. It is worthy of 



