66 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



and where Sparrows are abundant such seed can not profitably be 

 raised. Following are a few reports bearing on this subject : 

 Col. Eandolph Harrison, of Richmond, Ya., writes : 



The greatest pest which our sunflower had was the English Sparrow, which de- 

 voured the seed as fast as it matured. (October, 1887.) 



"VT. T. Cunningham, of Danville, Vermillion County, 111., writes : 



It takes all sunflower -seed that is not protected. (September 4,' 1886. Present 

 about ten years.) 



S. E. lngersoll, of Cleveland, Ohio, writes : 



To growers of sunflower seed it is very troublesome, eating nearly all the seed. 

 (September 1, 1886. Present about fourteen years.) 



Fred. Mather, of Cold Spring Harbor, Suffolk County, H". Y., writes: 



The yellow-bird and the English Sparrow eat up a big share of the sunflower seed 

 which I raise for my fowls. (February 17, 1887.) 



H. C. Hull, of Meriden, Conn., writes: 



I had about one hundred sunflowers, aud the Sparrows devoured the seed in about 

 two days. (August 31, 1356. Present sixteen years.) 



Aside from purely negative statements, unsupported by evidence of 

 any kind, very few reports favorable to the Sparrow on this question 

 have been received. The usual number report "no injury to seeds 

 observed; n varied occasionally to "little injury noted,' 7 or " no damage 

 of any account." 



More rarely a definite and favorable reply has been received. The 

 live following reports may be taken as fair samples of the evidence 

 favorable to the Sparrow as regards vegetables and garden seeds : 



From John T. M. Hairn, Lexington, Oglethorpe County, Ga.: 



I have watched its habits closely and know that it does not injure fruits or veg- 

 etables. It picks up from ihe ground any seed, such as clover or cabbage, but does 

 not unearth any seed, or take it out of the head. (September 25, 1886. Present about 



four years.) ' 



From M. M. Murphy, Eipley, Brown County, Ohio : 



I have never found them any detriment to my garden. (November 12, 1886. Pres- 

 ent about ten years.) 



From Judge John C. Ferriss, Nashville, Tenn. : 



It is a blessing to any community that raises vegetables. (November 12, 1886. 

 Present about eight years.) 



From John D. Hicks, Old Westbury, Queens County, N. Y. : 



It does not injure garden fruits and vegetables with us. except that it occasionally 

 picks out and eats the ends of some sweet corn in the garden, thus in a small way in- 

 juring the ear. (August 16, 1884.) 



From A. V. Coffin, Le Roy, Coffey County, Kans. : 



I have not observed any injury to fruits or vegetables by the Sparrow. It has 

 been of service by eating the seeds of the native sunflower, but it also eats the seed 

 of lettuce, flax, aud artichoke. (October 8, 1886. Present about two years.) 



Destruction of Weed Seed and Grass Seed. — This last example sug- 

 gests a point which has been more frequently urged in favor of the 

 Sparrow in the Old World than in the United States, namely, the serv- 



