20 BULLETIN 4 and 5 



to moisture reduces its virulence. Furthermore, sparrows that 

 take less than a fatal quantity, or that become frightened by the 

 death of their comrades, will forsake a feeding place, if poison 

 is kept there constantly. It is better, therefore to supply un- 

 poisened wheat after each poisoning until the birds have recover- 

 ed confidence. An important advantage of having several feed- 

 ing grounds is that they may be used in rotation, the sparrows 

 forgetting their fear of one while the others in turn are receiving 

 poison. 



A poison mixture that has proved very effective is prepared 

 as follows: Put one eight ounce of strychnia sulphate into 

 three fourths of a gill of hot water and boil until dissolved. 

 Moisten one and one- half teaspoonfuls of starch with a few 

 drops of cold water, add it to the poison solution, and heat until 

 the starch thickens. Pour the hot poisoned starch solution over 

 one quart of wheat and stir until every kernel is coated. Small 

 kerneled wheat sold as poultry food, if reasonably clean, is pref- 

 erable to first quality grain, being cheaper and more easily eaten 

 by the sparrows. A two quart glass fruit jar is a good vessel to 

 mix in, as it is easily shaken and allows the condition of the 

 contents to be seen. If the coated wheat be spread thinly on a 

 hard flat surface, it will be dry enough for use m a short time. It 

 should be dried thoroughly if it is to be put into jars and kept 

 for future use. Dishes employed in preparing the poison may 

 be safely washed. 



The poisoned wheat should be well scattered. A few spar- 

 rows get only enough strychnine to paralyze them. Therefore 

 visit the feeding places often. Remove dead birds often to avoid 

 exciting suspicions of the others. The best time to put out the 

 poison is just after a snowstorm. The feeding place should be 

 cleared of snow and poison and laid out early in the morning. 

 Poison should be placed in secluded places safe from poultry, 

 doves, and other birds. Wheat not eaten by sparrows will be- 

 come harmless after a few rains. 



This Bulletin may be obtained free of cost upon application 

 to the Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Wash- 

 ington, D. C. 



BIRD LISTS. 



Migration lists for the year 1909 were received from the 

 following members Mr. G. L. Kirk, Mr. G. H. Ross, and Mr. 

 and Mrs. C. H. V. Coan of Rutland; Dr. L. H. Ross of Ben- 

 nington; Miss Marion Bole of West Barnet; Misses Susan and 



