176 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. [Tol.Y. 



bring tliis matter to the attention of the people in the West, and to 

 urge that such measures be taken without further dangerous delay, is 

 the object of the present paper. 



This may seem an extreme course, to the few who still look favorably 

 upon the iDresence of the Sparrow in America; but such may be assured 

 that it is no more than the exigencies of the case demand. Unless the 

 Sparrows can be made to devour grasshoppers, there is absolutely no 

 occasion, for their naturalization in the West, not even the flimsy excuse 

 for them that we sometimes hear made in the East. That they will not 

 subsist upon grasshoppers to any extent, or upon potato-beetles, may be 

 regarded as a foregone conclusion ; and in the absence of other sources 

 of food-supply, they will infallibly fall i\y)oii the crops. 



Though it must appear to all well-informed persons a work of super- 

 erogation to point out what mischief the Sparrows have done, what 

 worse evils are in prospect, and what thoroughly undesirable birds these 

 are from every standpoint, yet the people of the West may not be fully 

 apprised as j^et of the actual state of the case. Their attention is there- 

 fore called to the present status of the Sparrow in • America, as fully 

 exhibited in the following review of the situation. 



For it occurs to me that the facts in the case can in no way be more 

 forcibly presented or more clearly illustrated than by the simple and 

 lucid method of setting forth, in sufficient detail, the controversy which 

 the introduction of the Sparrow into America has occasioned, and 

 analyzing the mass of evidence we have accumulated. To such a 

 record, moreover, attaches a degree of historical interest. Instead of 

 expressing my own views, or of preparing statements which might be 

 open to an even unfounded charge of prejudice, I have therefore thrown 

 what I have to say into the form of a commentary on the record itself, 

 leaving each one to form his own opinion on the subject. 



The following record forms a portion of a more elaborate article which 

 I have in iDreparation upon the general subject. Though very incom- 

 plete, — m fact, representing but a fragment of the literature which the 

 Sparrow Question has occasioned, — it is sufficient for present purxDOses. 

 It is compiled from all available sources, witJiout iiartiality or prejudice, 

 and the commentary is written without fear, favor, or affection. It in- 

 cludes every article which I have seen, and a few others, the titles of 

 which I have taken from Mr. T. (1. Gentry's book. For some, I am 

 indebted to the kindness of Prof. 0. Y. Eiley. Articles in favor of, as 

 well as those unfavorable to, the Sparrow, have been collated with 

 equal care ; but those of the former character are so few and weak in 

 comparison with those of the latter category, that if the contributions 

 to the subject made by the eminent ornithologist. Dr. Thomas 31. Brewer, 

 be excepted, little remains on that side of the question. Additional 

 titles of articles bearing upon the off side of the controversy are there- 

 fore the special desiderata of this ]Diece of bibliography ; but any addi- 

 tions to the list or corrections of errors which may be detected will be 

 very acceptable to the compiler. 



