144 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



We could not introduce this important matter 

 of the birds' usefulness to man more opportunely 

 than during a stroll through the wheat -fields. 

 Birds of many species abound in them as soon as 

 the grain begins to turn colour some for plunder, 

 others for a more useful purpose. As we wander 

 along the hedgerow-side, flock after flock of greedy 

 Sparrows rise from the corn ; Finches of various 

 kinds fly up here and there, and many other birds 

 from time to time leave the waving grain. 



It will, perhaps, be most convenient to take in 

 succession the various species of birds which are 

 regarded by farmers and gardeners as injurious to 

 their crops, and weigh impartially the evidence 

 against them and that in their favour. The first 

 that we will notice is the House Sparrow. By the 

 majority of farmers all small and dull-coloured 

 birds are classed as " Sparrows," and the gun 

 deals indiscriminate destruction to every feathered 

 creature which may chance to bear the faintest 

 resemblance to that cunning, impudent bird. 

 Rightly or wrongly, the House Sparrow has got 

 a bad name ; that, as with a dog, is all-sufficient 

 condemnation, and I am afraid this bird has few 

 friends. But, kept in proper bounds, the Sparrow 

 is of great service to man, and makes ample 

 amends for his misdeeds in summer and autumn 

 during the remainder of the year. It is the 

 Sparrow's artificial conditions of existence which 

 conduce to his abnormal increase, and which render 

 him a pest rather than a benefit. By killing off his 



