154 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



probable that our action in assisting one side against 

 the other would go far in its results ; still, a little 

 might be done. There are gardens and grounds in 

 the suburbs of London where sparrows are not 

 abundant, and are shyer than the birds of other 

 species, and this result has been brought about by 

 means of a little judicious persecution. Shooting 

 is a bad plan, even with an air-gun ; its effects are 

 seen by all the birds, for they see more from their 

 green hiding-places than we imagine, and it creates 

 a general alarm among them. Those who wish to 

 give the other birds a chance will only defeat their 

 own object by shooting the sparrows. A much better 

 plan for those who are able to practise it prudently 

 is to take their nests, which are more exposed to 

 sight than those of other birds ; but they should 

 be taken after the full complement of eggs has been 

 laid, and only at night, so that other birds shall not 

 witness the robbery and fear for their own treasures. 

 Mr. Henry George, in that book of his which has 

 been the delight of so many millions of rational 

 souls, advocates the destruction of all sharks and 

 other large rapacious fishes, after which, he says, the 

 ocean can be stocked with salmon, which would 

 secure an unlimited supply of good wholesome food 

 for the human race. No such high-handed measures 

 are advocated here with regard to the sparrow. 

 Knowledge of nature makes us conservative. It is 



