76 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



deal with this pest, — reluctantly, because it can- 

 not be recommended to children, who are among 

 our most enthusiastic, as they are our most nu- 

 merous bird-protectors. 



Shooting the Sparrows. — The kind of firearm 

 generally recommended is a small rifle, in which 

 may be used the ordinary or fine shot-cartridge, 

 although a shotgun may prove a more effective 

 implement for one who is not a good marksman 

 with the rifle. One correspondent suggests the 

 use of an air-rifle, because it makes so little noise 

 and thus lessens the possibility of frightening 

 away desirable birds. If the sparrows become 

 wary, the shooting may be done from the house 

 through an open window, using smokeless powder. 

 In this manner, too, very little noise is heard 

 outside, and the other birds are not disturbed. 



A very effective way to break up the nesting 

 of the sparrows is to shoot only the females. 

 This shooting should be started in the winter, so 

 that on the arrival of the nesting-season, the 

 males shall very greatly outnumber the females. 

 This preponderance of males mil render the suc- 

 cessful mating of any pairs improbable, the suc- 

 cess of this method depending upon the extent 

 to which this preponderance in number of one 

 sex over the other is maintained. 



