EVIDENCE. — FROM AUSTRALIAN PUBLICATIONS. 351 



[Thomas Filnier, Glenelg.] 



Sparrows have fully established themselves at the Sturt and Brighton, and unless 

 something is done is sure the loss to fruit-growers and corn-growers will be very great. 

 Is not aware of anything having been done to destroy them. Incloses the following 

 recipe from the Melbourne Leader for destroying Sparrows and other birds: "Take 

 5s. worth of strychnine, dissolve in half ateacupful of warm vinegar or acetic acid, 

 add that to four or five quarts of water, and put into that as much wheat as will soak 

 up the liquid. The wheat to be distributed where the birds will pick it up." 



[W. H. Harrold, Mouut G-ambier.] 



Sparrows have thoroughly established themselves all round Mouut Gambier. Last 

 season they destroyed in turn fully one-half of his cherries, plums, apricots, pears, 

 aud apples, and what was saved had to be gathered unripe. Had a nice patch of 

 wheat completely destroyed by them as it was ripening. Had tried grain poisoned 

 with arsenic aud strychnia, but it has not proved effective ; the Sparrows eye out the 

 poisoned grain aud avoid it. Thinks large numbers of them might be shot, and their 

 nests should also be hunted for aud destroyed. 



\ J. Hobbs, East Marden.] 



Sparrows are established in great numbers in this locality, and they are most in- 

 jurious to figs, loquats, apricots, plums, peaches, cherries, nectarines, and grapes. 

 The latter suffer most. 



[S. K. James, Marden.] 



4 



Sparrows have thoroughly established themselves in this neighborhood, and oranges 

 are literally whitened with their droppings. Loquats, cherries, Americau plums, and 

 apricots will in turn be attacked by them as they ripen. Last year Irom a crop from 

 two hundred trees he dare not let any of the fruit ripen for fear of it being pecked 

 and destroyed by these birds. Although he had a large crop of figs, it was with diffi- 

 culty that he saved a few for market. 



[M. McSbene, Campbelltown.] 



His neighborhood is very much troubled with Sparrows; they breed in the banks of 

 the river aud swarm over the gardens. They destroyed nearly all the buds on the apri- 

 cot trees last year and spoiled the fruit which matured. Does not know what to do to 

 get rid of them ; only wishes he did. 



[M. A. Price, Gilberton.] 



Is much troubled with Sparrows, which come in flocks of hundreds and destroy the 

 fruit. Last season did not have one bunch of ripe grapes, except those she covered 

 with strong bags. Tried several devices, as scarecrows, but they were ineffective. 

 They seem to eat nothing but fruit and tender vegetables, and hopes something will 

 be done to destroy them before another fruit season comes on. 



[H. C. Quick, Sbiraz Vineyard, Marden.] 



Sparrows are established in his neighborhood in immense numbers, and are very de- 

 structive to fruits, especially grapes of the finest kinds. His loss by them is incal- 

 culable. Numbers are destroyed by poison and nets, but they are vastly on the in- 

 crease, aud the prospects of fruit-growing are most alarming. Suggests that the 

 commission should arrange for selling as cheaply as possible " ground-nets" and " bat- 

 nets" for catching Sparrows. 



