56 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



Another says that he has u a trellis of vines eighty feet in length, be- 

 sides other vines, and was not able to cut a bunch of grapes," while 

 still another lost a ton and a half of grapes in ten days. 



INJURY TO OTHER SMALL FRUITS. 



As already stated, very few garden fruits escape the Sparrow's notice, 

 and almost all small fruits suffer badly. Next to grapes probably 

 cherries are most seriously injured, but as this is a crop which suffers 

 much from other birds, it is often difficult to say what proportion of the 

 damage is done by the Sparrow, except in localities where there are no 

 other birds. As cherry buds and blossoms are a favorite food of the 

 Sparrow earlier in the seasou, this damage to the ripening fruit is all 

 the more keenly felt. The following are a few of the scores of com- 

 plaints received at the Department : 



From J. Percy Moore, Philadelphia, Pa. : 



It destroys large quantities of ripe cherries as long as tliis fruit can be found. 

 June 17, 1886, I saw old birds feeding on them, and also carrying large numbers to 

 their young in the nest. (September 7, 1886. Present about twenty years.) 



From F. W. Seaver, Aaron, Switzerland County, Ind.: 



I have noticed droves of them in cherry and other small fruit trees, which they 

 would almost strip of fruit. (October 8, 1886. Present about four years.) 



From John T. Mack, Sandusky, Ohio : 



It ruins much ripening fruit here of nearly all kinds, especially cherries, plums, etc. 

 (September 1, 1886. Present several years. ) 



From H. Yolkening, Lenzburgh, St. Clair County, 111. : 



This year it allowed hardly any of our cherries or grapes to get ripe. (October 4, 

 1886. Present about three years.) 



From W. J. N, Osterhaut, Providence, E. I. : 



In a yard near my house there are two cherry trees, and in the same yard is a large bird- 

 house which the landlord will not suffer to be removed. For several years the ten- 

 ants have been able to get but very few cherries because the Sparrows devour both 

 blossom and fruit. (April, 1886.) 



Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries also suffer considerably, 

 as seen from the following reports : 



From the postmaster at Charlestown, Clark County, Ind.: 



It injures both bloom and fruit of the strawberry. (October 13, 1886. Present 

 about twelve years.) 



From Charles W. Snyder, Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y. : 



I have noticed in some localities that fields of strawberries and raspberries have 

 been iujured by them to a considerable extent. (December 6, 1886. Present about 

 six years.) 



From George H. Berry, North Livermore, Androscoggin County, 

 Me.: 



They have settled in flocks on strawberry beds, currant bushes, and cherry trees, in 

 some instances completely stripping them of fruit. (August 23, 1886. Present about 

 three years, 



