54 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



The following* reports, selected almost at random, and coming from 

 widely separated parts of the country, may be taken as suggestive ex- 

 amples of the work of the Sparrow on this crop. 



From Eobert D. Camp, New Haven, Conn. : 



I have noticed the Sparrows eating grapes more than any other fruit. A vine within 

 sight of my place of business is almost alive with'the birds when the fruit is ripen- 

 ing. (April, 1887. Present fifteen or twenty years.) 



From F. S. Piatt, seedsman and florist, New Haven, Conn. : 

 Last year, when I had a large crop of very fine grapes, I found that the Sparrows 

 were destroying nearly all of them. I watched these birds and found that they 

 would pick out a fine bunch of fruit and pick a hole in nearly every grape. This hole 

 would be so very small that at first it would not be noticeable, but very soon the place 

 would begin to decay, and then the grape would be ruined. I have twenty varieties 

 of choice grapes, which they peck and ruin 



From William Holmead, Mount Pleasant, D. C. (suburb of Washing- 

 ton) : 



The Sparrows for the last two years have destroyed my grapes to such an extent 

 that I have not realized the expenses of culture. (November 8, 1886. Present about 

 fourteen years. ) 



From August Gierschner, New Athens, Saint Clair County, 111. : 



It eats cherries, plums, and grapes as long as it can find any. * * * I think 

 public sentiment will turn against him, especially on account of the havoc he makes 

 with cherries and grapes. (October 5, 1886. Present about fourteen years.) 



From the postmaster at Bowling Green, Warren County, Ky. : 



In this city it has ruined the grape crop almost wholly where unprotected. (Octo- 

 ber 3, 1886. Present about eight years.) 



From Thomas S. Kennedy, Crescent Hill, Jefferson County, Ky. : 



It eats ripe strawberries, raspberries, and grapes. The last season it has been un- 

 usually destructive and has torn the paper bags from the bunches of grapes It also 

 eats holes in apples and pears hanging on the trees. (October 5, 1886. Present five 

 or six years.) 



From H. H. Miller and other members of the County Farmers' Club, 

 Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Md. : 



It injures strawberries, * * * and particularly grapes, some of the smaller 

 vineyards being nearly a failure on this account. (February 16, 1887. Present 

 about eight years.) 



From E. A. Bowen, Middleborough, Mass. : 



It is especially fond of grapes, and destroys a great many in my locality. (Septem- 

 ber 21, 1886. Present ten or eleven years.) 



From Samuel S. Lacey, Marshall, Calhoun County, Mich. : 

 It steals peas and eats Delaware and winter grapes. (November 20, 1886. Present 

 about six years.) 



From David C. Yoorhees, Blawenburgh, Somerset County, K. J. : 



It attacks and devours grapes greedily. My crop was damaged 10 per cent, this 

 year. It seems to hunt np all the largest and best clusters, and when fully ripe does 

 great damage by biting through the skin. (December, 1885.) It destroys grapes by 

 the ton and peas to a great extent. (August, 1886. Present about three years.) 



