22 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



Once More, Tne English Sparrow 



Elsewhere appears the ominous report of the coming of the 

 Starling to Illinois. A potential pest (there is said to be one for 

 every fence post in some parts of rural England) , its appearance 

 is untimely and disconcerting when we are so little able to cope 

 with the earlier importation, the English or House Sparrow. 

 Although it is all an old story it should be repeated that we must 

 focus more and more attention upon the Sparrow problem. He 

 thrives in the role of outlaw without any of the picturesqueness 

 and appeal that often goes with that. City blocks have been 

 abandoned to him and as the disappearance of the horse from 

 the city streets makes street sweepings less a source of revenue 

 for the Sparrow he betakes himself in ever increasing numbers to 

 the country. Rural districts are becoming densely populated and 

 the farmers' barns are being transformed into huge caravansaries 

 for Sparrows. Let us even now as we confer about it highly re- 

 solve to go forth at this the nesting season and with pole and hook 

 dislodge these unwelcome tenants. We print herewith three 

 welcome reports upon Sparrow extermination. The first is from 

 Professor Frank Smith of Urbana. 



"An attempt to reduce the English Sparrow population has 

 been one of the pastimes of the writer during the past year. Be- 

 side the natural dislike of a bird lover for the pests there has 

 been a desire to be better qualified to help others who might have 

 similar dislikes and ask for information concerning methods of 

 elimination. The first trap used was one of the type commonly 

 known as the "Government" Sparrow trap with which 18 of the 

 Sparrows were caught from March 17th to April 1st, inclusive. 

 Better results would very probably have followed more pains- 

 taking and time consuming attention. Beginning with April 12, 

 a trap advertised in Bird-Lore and known as the Ever Set Trap 

 was used during the remainder of the year. One female Cowbird 

 and 504 English Sparrows were caught in this trap from April 

 12 to December 31 inclusive. There were occasional periods of 

 one to three weeks in which the trap was not in use. The number 

 of birds taken and the amount of time which the trap was in use 

 follow: In April (10 days), 1 Cowbird and 52 Sparrows; in May 

 (10 days), 39 Sparrows; in June (28 days), 168 Sparrows; in 

 July and August, by a neighbor, 164 Sparrows; in September 

 (10 days), 6 Sparrows; in October (30 days), 40 Sparrows; in 

 November (17 days), 17 Sparrows; in December (15 days), 18 

 Sparrows. Total with both traps: 1 Cowbird and 522 English 

 Sparrows. Greatest catch in an interval of 24 hours, 23 birds. 



The Ever Set Trap required ho attention other than the 

 provision of decoys and bait in the morning and the removal of 

 the catch at night. The majority of the birds taken in June 

 were juvenile. The trapping activities were carried on in an 

 ordinary city backyard, in a residence district with no vacant 



