EFFECTS ON NATIVE BIRDS. 79 



reader will ever again deny that the Sparrow molests our native birds, 

 and in many cases drives them away from our gardens and parks. No 

 one should be content to read simply the brief summary presented at 

 this place, but should turn directly to the evidence itself, and satisfy 

 himself that the case is as here represented. 



The nature of the evidence is such that it is impossible to summarize 

 it satisfactorily, but the following brief synopsis of matter contributed 

 directly to the Department will show something of its extent. 



Total number of original reports submitted 1, 048 



l\i the main favorable to the Sparrow 168 



lu tbe main unfavorable to the Sparrow 837 



Indeterminate 43 



This would indicate that about one-fifth of the evidence submitted is 

 favorable to the Sparrow ; but if we exclude from the evidence all those 

 reports which consist simply of the answers yes or no to the questions 

 asked on the printed circulars, the percentage of favorable replies will 

 be still further decreased. 



Two hundred and eighty-one reports were received which gave little 

 or no evidence on this subject further than these monosyllabic replies, 

 while the seven hundred and sixty-seven remaining reports gave illus- 

 trations of the hostile or peaceful relations of the birds, or at least men- 

 tioned some species which were or were not molested. 



Of these seven hundred and sixty-seven reports only forty-two are 

 entirely, or even mainly, favorable to the Sparrow; seven hundred and 

 twenty-five of them containing evidence unquestionably against the 

 Sparrow, and most of it of the most damaging kind. 



This estimate, therefore, which seems to us much nearer the truth 

 than the first, shows that about one-eighteenth of the reports re- 

 ceived are favorable to the Sparrow as regards its relation to other 

 birds, but it should not be inferred by any means that therefore even 

 one-eighteenth of the evidence is favorable. 



About one witness in eighteen has testified for the Sparrow, but each 

 juror must decide for himself as to the weight to be given to each piece 

 of evidence. For our own part, after careful consideration of each bit 

 of testimony presented, we believe that the proportion of one hundred 

 to one against the Sparrow is the most favorable estimate which any 

 unprejudiced person is likely to make. 



