EVIDENCE. — FROM AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS. 323 



As seen, on October 10 I discontinued my observations. The entire absence of insect 

 food is noticeable ; yet this did not in the least surprise me, for although I did expect 

 to find a few insects when I first commenced, I ceased to expect them after I saw how 

 thoroughly granivorous these birds were. 



I have found that as a rule our sparrows, finches, and grossbeaks (and I now speak 

 of these species as they occur in Massachusetts) eat but few insects. Thus out of 

 two hundred and eighty-four individuals, taken at all seasons, which I have exam- 

 ined, embracing seventeen species, but eighty-one had taken insects; and if we ex- 

 clude the rose-breasted grossbeak and the savanna sparrow, which are much more 

 insectivorous than any others, I find that only about six per cent, of those examined 

 had eaten insects, and these were taken mainly in spring, summer, and autumn; rarely 

 in winter. Some species never eat insects when they can get seeds, and their ana- 

 tomical structure is eminently fitted for gathering and digesting these latter-named 

 articles of diet. The structure of the English Sparrow is very similar to that of some 

 of our strictly granivorous birds. Tims the gullet is dilated into a crop, a character 

 seldom seen in insectivorous birds. The proven triculus is small, but the stomach has 

 very thick and muscular walls, and is lined with a strong, somewhat rugose mem- 

 brane. The duodenum is long and incloses a large pancreas, which secretes a fluid, 

 that assists to digest the oily matter from seeds. This kind of food is rudely gathered, 

 and in many instances crushed by the strong bill. The cceca are small. All this 

 shows clearly that we have to deal with a granivorous bird which may possibly at 

 some seasons eat insects, but certainly not in the autumn, as I have endeavored to 

 show. 



At first thought it may appear that I have chosen a time which was unfavorable to 

 the English Sparrows, as seeds are very abundant in the autumn; but neither are in- 

 sects scarce then, and I chose this time as being one in which the birds would exhibit 

 their preference; and they certainly have shown no inclination to take insects. If, 

 however, we turn to some of our native species of sparrows which often take insects 

 (and I will, at the suggestion of my friend, Mr. J. A. Allen, select the song sparrow), 

 we shall find that they eat some insects all through the autumn, although seeds of 

 course form the greater portion of their food. Yet the few insects taken show that 

 they occasionally prefer them. 



To my mind it is clear that the English Sparrows are pampered too much. They 

 have access to all the grain that they want, and will then eat nothing else. To make 

 an exceedingly long story shorter, let us have proof that they do or do not eat insects, 

 and then the matter will be decided beyond a doubt ; and again I would venture to rec- 

 ommend most urgently that the legislature of Massachusetts authorize some one to 

 make a series of dissections of the English Sparrow throughout the entire year, for 

 in no other way can the matter be decided. I do not consider my proofs as conclusive, 

 but as far as they have gone they are certainly convincing, and I am inclined to look 

 upon the Sparrows as utterly unworthy of protection ; yet I am still open to convic- 

 tion in their favor, and if any one will show me one — I ask not ten nor even three, 

 but oulyone — English Sparrow from Boston that has voluntarily eaten an insect of auy 

 sort or kind I will at once modify my opinion respecting them. (C. J. Maynard.) 



[Farmer's Home Journal, Louisville, Ky., October 2, 1886.1 



Bowling Green, Ky., Septeinber25, 1886.— The English Sparrow has heretofore been 

 very destructive upon grains and fruits in and near the towns of this part of the 

 State, but seems to have been this season three or four times as bad as ever, because, 

 probably, of increase of number. He is gradually making his way into the country 

 districts. In the city this year all fruits suffered greatly, and with some of us the 

 grapes not protected with bags or otherwise were all taken, and whenever the weather 

 made a hole in the bag covering a variety of grape that, when ripe, was black or red 

 he has torn off the bags. The rascal has strong jaws and great energy, and will work 

 industriously until he Uas made shreds of a bag that he once attacks. It seems that 



