106 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



Even to the stationary counter some of our more 

 common native birds came quite regularly, but 

 not often when the sparrows were there, although 

 occasionally sparrows and other birds were seen 

 feeding together. 



Several observers have reported that the fol- 

 lowing kind of shelf is visited by our native birds, 

 but not by the sparrows : A board is hinged to the 

 window-sill and from the outer edge a string is 

 run to the top of the window with a light spring 

 between. Other observers have reported that the 

 sparrows use it, and such has been the author's 

 experience. Thus, while the moving counter is 

 not entirely successful, it seems to offer a partial 

 solution of the difficulty. 



Trapping the Sparrows. — But probably the 

 only permanent solution lies in destroyiag the 

 sparrows, by trapping, poisoning, or shooting. 

 Mrs. Bonner reports in "Bird-Lore" that the 

 following device for trapping has proved very 

 successful. A large wire rat-trap was secured, the 

 kind that has the funnel-shaped entrance, the 

 small end of the funnel pointing inward. On the 

 floor of the trap were sprinkled grain or crumbs 

 or any suitable bird-food, and a little more was 

 sprinkled on the ground leading to the trap. In 

 this the sparrows were caught and then drowned. 



