318 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



So much for the evidence. We have learned the capacity and disposition of this 

 bird to injure grain and fruits, and that when gathered in large numbers it threatens 

 very seriously the interests of the farmer and horticulturist. Although testimony of 

 a certain kind indicates that its young are fed with insects, actual dissection shows 

 that vegetable substances are mainly employed. The adult birds feed almost ex- 

 clusively upon seeds aud grains. They drive away from their accustomed haunts, 

 either directly or indirectly, many of our native insectivorous species. It may be 

 added that they have proved in recent years so destructive of crops in other coun- 

 tries as to render it necessary to enact laws looking to their extermination. In view 

 of these facts, your committee believes that the European Sparrow (Passer domesiicus) 

 is an ineligible species in this country, and that it was a mistaken policy to introduce 

 the bird. And we would respectfully recommend: 



(1) That sheltering or otherwise fostering the Sparrow by the public be discouraged, 

 and that its introduction artificially into new localities and its sale for such purposes 

 be forbidden by law. 



(2) That all existing laws protecting the Sparrow be repealed, and that bounties 

 be offered for its destruction. 



Signed, J. B. Holder, 



Chairman. 

 Eugene P. Bicknell. 

 H. A. Purdue. 

 Nathan Clifford Brown. 

 Montague Chamberlain. 



[The Michigan law protecting these birds has been repealed — Ed. F. & S.] 



[Xew York Tribune, 1885.] 



We have here at the New York State Experiment Station [Geneva, N. Y.] many 

 varieties of cereals on different parts of the grounds, planted for study and compar- 

 ison. In 1884, upon the wheat heads attaining the milk stage, the European Spar- 

 rows began feeding on the undeveloped grain. They would alight on the wheat or 

 oat stalks, bend them to the ground, and ruin the heads or panicles. They almost 

 spoiled a choice plat of experimental wheat. This year the same thing has been re- 

 peated in a more pronounced manner ; we have had to cover some special wheat 

 plants with mosquito netting in order to preserve the seed. Those plants uncovered 

 were in a large degree ruined. 



We had twenty-six wheat plants near a wooded ravine. As soon as the heads be- 

 gan to fill, the Sparrows and blackbirds began their pernicious work, eating such 

 quantities of grain that the result of the experiment will be of no value. It Avas im- 

 possible to suppress them, as they worked long ere the sun appeared. Our large 

 wheat field was patronized by liberal hocks of blackbirds and Sparrows. I have 

 been among the wheat fields of this vicinity and seen Sparrows either upon the fence 

 close by or in the wheat. I have conversed with many persons visiting the station, 

 and wherever the Sparrow is well known, and grain fields are common, I am told the 

 Sparrow does eat the grain. 



Last year I dissected many Sparrows; found a few insects in some, and those 

 as a rule the remains of ants, but hardly a stomach was there that did not contain 

 wheat or oats. Four days ago I examined nineteen stomachs, and in all but one 

 was found wheat. In two stomachs were apparently chitinous parts of ants. 

 Sparrows also patronize in a liberal manner some kinds of garden seeds, especially 

 lettuce. One large seed-grower pronounces these birds great destroyers of seeds. 1 

 have noted also in the agricultural press that Sparrows destroy the tender buds of 

 some ornamental shrubs and trees. At the station we have seen them eating pear 

 buds, or picking them open. (Charles S. Plumb.) 



