EVIDENCE. EFFECTS ON NATIVE BIRDS. 277 



great Carolina wren are molested and driven oft'. (August 19, 1886. Present about 

 eight years.) 



Cleveland. Dr. E. Sterling : When few in numbers they did not molest our na- 

 tive birds, but now that they have waxed strong and fat, no native birds are left. 

 Last spring I saw a gang of them kill outright a robin on the public square. Ten years 

 ago I counted 192 nests of native birds on two and one-half miles of Euclid avenue; 

 this last season you could hardly find a dozen, and there is no other cause for their dis- 

 appearance than these little pests. I have seen them tear up the nests of other birds 

 and break the eggs; have seen them drive an old heu and her brood from their In- 

 dian-meal food by force of numbers ; and even our tomcat had to back out when about 

 to try his hand on a fledgeling. Tbe kingbird is the only one that holds his own with 

 them; he breeds here undisturbed. (February 25, 1884. Present about fourteen years.) 



Columbus (suburb, Ohio State University). William B. Alwood: I have never ob- 

 served a direct conflict between the Sparrow and other species. His lordship simply 

 appropriates the choice localities, and other species acquiesce in his occupancy. (July 

 16, 1887.) 



Columbus. Dr. J. M. Wheaton : It molests and drives away the house wren, blue- 

 bird, wood pewee, chipping sparrow, and a few other city birds. I am satisfied that 

 in our city fewer birds make their appearance than before the Sparrow was intro- 

 duced. (April 18, 1884. Present about twelve years.) 



Garrettsville. A. J. Smith : I have known the martin to hold possession when at- 

 tacked by the Sparrow, and the Sparrow to take the lower tier of boxes in tbe same 

 house with the martin. I have knowu the Sparrow to take possession of the robin's 

 nest after the robin had raised one brood in it. (October 27, 1886. Present about 

 five years.) 



Laurel. Daniel Bohl: I have seen this pestiferous little bird destroy the nests of 

 our robins, and this spring I tore its nests out of a martin box which I have set up 

 four different times, yet it persisted in building; but I never ceased until the mar- 

 tins had taken full possession. These troublesome imps drive the martins away- 

 aud I have seen them drive out our native barn swallows and take full possession of 

 their nests. (August 6, 1887.) 



Metamora. H. C. Somes : The English Sparrows are too numerous here. We had 

 no phcebes in their old place last spring except for a few days. My hummingbirds 

 were all gone last year, and there were no yellowbirds or wrens, and but few meadow- 

 larks and robins. (February 13, 1888.) 



New Lisbon. J. F. Benner: It does not drive off any native birds to my knowl- 

 edge, lu the spring a martin-box on my premises is taken possession of by the Spar- 

 rows ; the bluebirds will fight them, and sometimes get possession of a part of it until 

 the martin comes, when both have to vacate in a hurry. (August 27, 3886. Present 

 about six years.) 



North Bend (suburb). R. H. Warder : The house wren and bluebird are driven off 

 by the Sparrow. The great crested flycatcher and bluebird sometimes reclaim for- 

 mer nesting places, but rarely. (November 27, 1886. Present about eleven years.) 



Oxford (country, 1 mile from village). L. N. Bonham : Jay-birds and robins resist 

 and attempt to drive off the Sparrow, but it never leaves. A few years ago the blue- 

 birds attempted to reclaim their nests, but they have given up the contest, and I 

 never see them now ; they have been driven off my farm entirely by the Sparrow. Mr. 

 E. P. Wetmore, of the Oxford Farmers' Club, tells me of a long contest in his door- 

 yard between Sparrows and robins. The barn swallows also have all gone since the 

 Sparrow came. (Columbus, Ohio, November 29, 1886.) 



Wakeman (country). W. B. Hall : It is saucy and aggressive. I have seen it drive 

 the bluebird, wren, barn swallow, and downy wookpeeker from their nests. It does 

 not seem to be endowed with individual courage, but moves in flocks and overcomes 

 by force of numbers. (1885. Present about four years.) 



West Berlin (country). C.H.Shaw and J. P. Roloson : We have seen them fight 



