350 THE ENGLISH SPAltEGW IN AMERICA. 



["Henry Broad, Marden.J 



Sparrows are plentiful in his neighborhood, and very destructive to fruit, and has 

 shot some occasionally. Shooting would help to keep them down, but it is a slow 

 process. Poisoned grain and poisoned water would also be very destructive to them. 

 Thinks netting them at night-time when roosting in orange and olive and other trees 

 would be effective in thinning their numbers. 



[Beaumont Cole, Adelaide.] 



When a boy he used to destroy Sparrows and small birds by spreadiug wheat 

 steeped in a solution of nux vomica. The nux vomica figs were cut into small 

 pieces and stewed all day, when the hot liquor was poured on as much wheat as it 

 would cover, and allowed to stand till morning. The wheat Avas then dried and 

 spread out, and he used to find many dead birds about, which he buried. Found it 

 necessary, however, to tempt the birds first of all by feeding them with clean grain. 



[Rev. Dr. Craig, Mount Gambier.] 



Sparrows are there in great numbers, and they eat most of the soft fruits and cher- 

 ries long before they are ripe. Farmers also report that they eat corn both when 

 sown and when ripe. The Agricultural and Horticultural Society have offered six- 

 pence per dozen for Sparrow heads and four pence per dozen for Sparrow eggs. Has 

 tried Faulding's phosphoric wheat, which killed a few, but thinks phosphorized clo- 

 ver seed or seed smaller than wheat would be better. 



[Hon. John Crozier, Oaklands.] 

 ■ 

 There is no doubt that if allowed to go unchecked they will not only destroy 



the vineyards and orchards, but also destroy most of the grain in the fields. Sug- 

 gests that poisoned water should be placed in the neighborhood of their haunts, out 

 of the reach of domestic animals, and also that diligent search should be made in the 

 breeding season for nests and eggs. States that two boys in one day obtained one 

 thousand nine hundred eggs on his property. Hay-stacks and hedges are their fa- 

 vorite haunts. Is afraid if the gun license is removed that the indiscriminate use of 

 fire-arms will be a more dangerous nuisance than the Sparrows. 



[Henry Douglas, Happy Valley.] 



Sparrows have established themselves very firmly in his neighborhood, and the 

 damage caused by them during last fruit season was very great. In the worst parts 

 of their haunts the grapes were literally cleared from the vines. Few efforts have 

 been made to destroy them, as desultory action has been considered to be useless. 

 Can not suggest a remedy, but is convinced the question of their destruction is of 

 vital importance, and hopes the united action contemplated by the commission will 

 be attended with success. 



[Anthony Etheridge, Elizabeth street, Norwood.] 



Sparrows have established themselves by thousands in Kent Town, Kensington, and 

 Norwood. Had had his apricot trees stripped by Sparrows, who also destroyed plums, 

 grapes, and figs. 



[Thomas Fairbrother, Fullarton.] 



Sparrows are in his neighborhood by thousands and destroy tons of fruit. Shoot- 

 ing is the only means which has been taken to destroy them. Thinks a reward of, 

 say, Ad. per dozen for old or young Sparrows would encourage boys to capture them, 

 and so thin their numbers. 



