58 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



apples in order to get tlio seeds, as if that were the case, it seems to me they would 

 confino their efforts to one or two punctures, whereas they often excavate several 

 very shallow cavities, and these are often of considerable area. 



On October 7, 1886, he wrote again : 



I mail to-day more samples of Sparrow- peeked apples, taken from the tree this 

 forenoon. They are of a different variety from those sent before, and as a rule less 

 of the pulp is taken than with the other variety, but the Sparrows begin work as soon 

 a3 the apples get mellow, and I seldom get one intact. I have in my garden one 

 more tree, of a still later variety, now loaded with fruit, as yet untouched, which I 

 shall watch with some interest. 



And finally, on the 18th of October: 



The recent high winds took all the apples off the trees, except from the one of which 

 I wrote, and yesterday I found the work of the Sparrows in the fruit of that tree also, 

 and send you samples. 



An apple pecked as above described aud kindly sent to the Depart- 

 ment by Mr. Webster is figured in the accompanying cut. 



Apple pecked by English Sparrows. 



[From garden of F. M. Webster, La Fayette, Iud., October 7, 1886.] 



Peaches, pears, and plums are also attacked frequently, as the follow- 

 ing statements show : 



From J. A. Dakiu, Tully, Onondaga County, N. Y.: 



I have myself observed it destroying grapes and pears, and a farmer told me this 

 morning that it had destroyed $10 worth of his Bartlett pears. (September 10, 1386. 

 Present about eighteen years.) 



From J. M. Dresser, La Fayette, Tippecanoe County, Ind. : 



It pecks into apples and pears. (December 11, 183G. Present about twelve years, ) 

 From John B. To! man, Lynn, Mass.: 



It injures fruit particularly. My choicest pears, peaches, grapes., and small fruit* 

 are badly pecked and mangled. (February 15, 1834.) 



