INJURY TO FRUITS. 59 



From Adolpk Leue, Cincinnati, Ohio : 



If pears are allowed to ripen on the tree it will eat them all. (October 12, 18S6. 

 Present more than twelve years.) 



From L. E. Bentley, Donaldsonviile, Ascension Parish, La. : 



It is very fond of plums, and particularly of the Mespilus, or Japan plum [Loquat], 

 which it devours with evident relish. (October 30, 18S6. Present about five years.) 



Many other fruits also are damaged to a greater or less extent, and a 

 few examples are inserted here: 

 From William B. Berthoud, Barataria, Jefferson Parish, La. : 



It is very fond of grapes and figs, and destroys a considerable quantity of these 

 fruits. (June 27, 1887. Present about four years.) 

 From Dr. G. E. Manigault, Charleston, S. C. : 

 It attacks garden fruits and vegetables, eating grapes, figs, etc. (August 24, 1884.) 



From H. Jacobson, Bed wood City, San Mateo County, Cal. : 



It feeds on grapes and figs. (October 11, 1886. Present twelve years.) 



From W. C. Percy, jr., Black Hawk, Concordia Parish, La. : 



They destroy more tomatoes * * * than any other bird. (September 15, 1886. 

 Present two or three years.) 

 From W. H. Wherritt, Lancaster, Garrard County, Ky. : 



It injures tomatoes and small fruits. (October 11, 1886. Present eight or nine 

 years. ) 



From J. B. McKinney, Newburgh, Warrick County, Ind.: 



It destroys cherries, currants, apples, pears, and any small fruit. (October 8, 1866. 

 Present about twelve years.) 



From P. W. Parmelee, Burton, Geauga County, Ohio : 



I have seen it at work on currants and raspberries ; in fact, it will eat anything it 

 can get when hungry. (September 1, 1886. Present about five years.) 



It is not surprising that any fruit-eating bird should attack figs, and 

 perhaps we ought not to wonder at the Sparrow's eating tomatoes, al- 

 though we are not aware that any other undomesticated bird touches 

 them, but when we find that even currants are eaten in considerable 

 quantities we begin to realize that the Sparrow's palate is peculiar and 

 that no fruit whatever can be considered safe in its vicinity. 



From the 288 more or less favorable reports relating to fruit we select 

 a few of the most definite. 



As these are all negative reports their value depends altogether on 

 the opportunities for observation which each witness has enjoyed and 

 on the manner in which these opportunities have been used. 



In all except a very few cases lack of time or opportunity will ac- 

 count for the failure to note anything but favorable characteristics in 

 the Sparrow, yet there are enough of these exceptions to make it tolera- 

 bly certain that the Sparrows have not abused their hospitality in all 

 cases, and we are glad to give even this devil his due. 



Mr. Lewis H. Hill, of Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., writes: 



I have never known it to trouble any kind of fruit, and 1 have quite a variety. 

 (September3, 1886.) 



