154 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



According to Professor Barrows, " Large numbers of the 

 sparrows may be destroyed and their increase prevented by 

 the systematic destruction of their nests, eggs, and young. 

 By the aid of an iron rod and hook set in the end of a long 

 pole, most of their nests can be reached and brought down. 

 This method promises most satisfactory results. They may 

 be easily driven from their roosting places by disturbing them 

 on several successive nights. A very efficacious method is to 

 throw water upon them when at roost. In cities where hose- 

 pipe is available, the process is simple and certain. They 

 may be kept out of ornamental vines in the same manner, 

 particularly in the breeding season, when a thorough soaking 

 not only disconcerts the old birds and kills their young, but 

 at the same time does much good by soaking the vines and 

 washing out their filth. If a part of the birds are shot or 

 caught each time they are disturbed at their roosts, the re- 

 mainder are much less likely to return." 



Mrs. Mary Treat has recorded an ingenious experiment in 

 discouraging the English sparrows on her premises. " A few 

 years ago," she writes, "they were here in great numbers, 

 driving bluebirds and wrens and martins from their boxes. 

 At last I had boxes made on purpose for the plagues, with a 

 hinged cover, and allowed each occupant to lay the requisite 

 number of eggs, usually six, and commence to incubate, when 

 I would destroy the eggs without disturbing the nest. At first 

 the little simpletons, after making a great ado, would in a few 

 days thereafter again lay eggs in the same boxes. Sometimes 

 over thirty eggs were laid in one box. But even the English 

 sparrow finally learns prudence. Each year they appeared 

 in diminished numbers, and last year only one pair attempted 

 to pre-empt a box and they left after the first setting of eggs 

 was destroyed, and the bluebirds and wrens had peace." 



A systematic war upon the sparrows, however, is likely to 

 prove troublesome to the authorities having it in charge, on 

 account of the sentiment of those who are not fully informed 



