66 BIRDS OF KANSAS. 



The balance of public opinion is strongly adverse to the sparrows. Our returns, 

 however, show protective laws (usually the same statute which provides for the secur- 

 ity of other small birds) in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New 

 York, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The 

 Massachusetts law has lately been repealed, and specially exempts the English spar- 

 row from protection. 



So much for the evidence. We have learned the capacity and disposition of this 

 bird to injure grain and fruits, and that when gathered in large numbers it threatens 

 very seriously the interests of the farmer and horticulturist. Although testimony of 

 a certain kind indicates that its young are fed with insects, actual dissection shows 

 that vegetable substances are mainly employed. The adult birds feed almost exclu- 

 sively upon seeds and grains. They drive away from their accustomed haunts, either 

 directly or indirectly, many of our native insectivorous species. It may be added 

 that they have proved in recent years so destructive of crops in other countries, as 

 to render it necessary to enact laws looking to their extermination. In view of these 

 facts, your committee believes that the European sparrow (Passer domesticus] is an 

 ineligible species in this country, and that it was a mistaken policy to introduce the 

 bird. And we would respectfully recommend: 



1. That sheltering or otherwise fostering the sparrow by the public be discouraged, 

 and that its introduction artificially in new localities and its sale for such purposes 

 be forbidden by law. 



2. That all existing laws protecting the sparrow be repealed, and that bounties be 

 offered for its destruction. (Signed) J. B. HOLDER, Chairman. 



EUGENE P. BICKNELL. 

 H. A. PUBDIE. 

 NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN. 

 MONTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN. 



