236 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



were increased, and paid by the several townships instead of the county, I think it 

 would he more of a success. (March 30, 1888.) 



Sparta. E. Bradford: No means has been taken for its restriction except that 

 every one who can, shoots them. One man here has shot about three hundred during 

 the past summer. (October, 1886.) 



Tecumseh. C. A. Wright and C. A. Story : A few farmers have been shooting them, 

 which drives them away for the time being. (October 11, 1886.) 



Traverse City. Charles Burmeister : I learn that at a regular meeting of the village 

 council of Traverse City, held on February 7, 1887, it was voted that " Mr. Morgan and 

 Mr. Barnes are appointed a committee to exterminate the Sparrows in the village." 

 (Frankfort, Mich., February 9, 1887.) 



Minnesota. — Minneapolis. Dr. Thomas S. Roberts : No means of restriction has been 

 taken here. The severe winters and late springs seem to have effectually kept them 

 in check. Although the first flock came here in the fall of 1876, they have increased 

 very slowly and even now there are but two or three little parties of them in the 

 city. (November 16, 1886.) 



Rochester. W. D. Hurlbut : They first appeared here in November last and seem 

 to be as much at home as if raised here. This unusually cold winter does not seem 

 to discourage them, none having died that we know of. The German and English 

 residents assure me these birds will thrive here as well as anywhere in Europe. Some 

 people, especially Germans, are inclined to welcome and feed them. (January 27, 

 1887.) 



The English Sparrows, which mutiplied greatly during the past summer, and were 

 probably re -enforced by fresh colonies, have not appeared to suffer at all from this un- 

 usually severe winter. No very bad weather is ever observed here after this date, and 

 I may therefore conclude that they are acclimated and fully established. During the 

 worst weather they housed in the coal sheds and under the eaves of the grain ware- 

 houses. (January 31, 1888.) 



Missouri. — Carrollton. M. R. Gittings: One gentleman who takes quite an interest 

 in birds says that two years ago he noticed five or six Sparrows here, and now there 

 are seventy-five or one hundred. (November 19, 1886.) 



Dixon. W. W. Howard : In the winter of 1884 I first noticed about four birds, and 

 they have increased to about forty at the present time. (November 12, 1886.) 



Memphis. J. P. Craig : It first appeared here three years ago this fall, and has 

 multiplied until now there are thousands. (November 12, 1886.) 



Nebraska. — Blair. W. H. Eller : There were two pairs here in 1885, and as many 

 as sixteen birds were seen at one time a few weeks ago ; but seed soaked in strychnine 

 was used, and twelve of them were killed. There are four here now. (November 11, 

 1886.) 



Plaltsmoutli. J. N. Wise: They have been here about twelve years, but are not 

 abundant, and not troublesome in this vicinity. Their increase is scarcely percepti- 

 ble. (November 22, 1886.) 



New Hampshire. — Portsmouth. Sarah H. Foster: No effort has been made to de- 

 stroy the Sparrow, as it is protected by law. Three years ago a petition, numerously 

 signed, was sent from Portsmouth to Concord, asking to have the game law altered in 

 this respect, but not being properly presented it was not acted upon. (April 2, 1884.) 



New Jersey.— Caldwell. Marcus S. Crane: Three broods were raised this year 

 in a box near our house. (September 20, 1884.) 



Iladdonjield; Samuel N. Rhodes: I think last year the law protecting them was 

 repealed by the legislature. This is indirectly destructive to the Sparrow, but of no 

 avail against increase. (September 9, 1886.) 



Jersey City. Jno. T. Bragaw : A storm passed over the city on the evening of the 11th 

 day of August, accompanied by a severe gale and a great downfall of rain. On the fol- 

 lowing morning I had occasion to pass by one of tho parks of Jersey City, Van Vorst 

 Square, and was greatly surprised to see a large number of dead Sparrows on the 



