352 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



[•John Rudall, town clerk, Gawler.] 



Sparrows are becoming numerous in Gawler, but is not aware of the extent of the 

 mischief caused by them, and has no suggestion to make for their destruction, although 

 it is thought that steps should be taken to prevent their increase. No systematic 

 means has been used in that neighborhood to destroy Sparrows beyond a persistent 

 search by boys for their nests. 



[C. Reeves, Gilbert street, Norwood.] 



Sparrows destroyed all his tigs, apricots, and grapes last season. Iutends to try 

 plaster of Paris mixed with oatmeal and flour, but also thinks wheat poisoned with 

 arsenic will be effective. 



[J. E. Scarce, Gilbcrton.] 



Sparrows have destroyed bushels of pears, apricots, plums, and grapes in his gar- 

 den. Has a trellis of vines 80 feet in length, besides other vines, and was not able to 

 cut a bunch of grapes. Thinks poisoned wheat the only effective means of destroy, 

 ing them. 



[C. A. Stark, Belaloo, Wirrabara.] 



During the last twelve months Sparrows have made their appearance in his garden, 

 and he has killed sixty-four this year with bran poisoned with strychnia and placed 

 in a saucer. Has also discovered four nests in his garden, which he purposes to de- 

 stroy when the young ones have been hatched. Is afraid if they get established in 

 the neighboring hills they will eat him out of his house and home. Sparrows, he 

 says, breed twice in the season, and generally lay from four to six eggs each batching. 

 Thinks poisoning, netting, and destroying the nests are the best remedies. 



[2tl. Salom, Rorth. Adelaide.] 



Sparrows are constantly building iu the gutters and down-pipes of the roof of his 

 house, although he has had their nests frequently removed. The damage done to him 

 personally, by causing overflow into walls and ceiling, he estimates at forty pounds 

 during the past twelve months. 



[W. F. Thompson, Happy Valley.] 



His district is infested with Sparrows. Has 40 or 50 acres of vineyard, and the 

 Sparrows play destruction with his grapes, and also with his neighbors' gardens and 

 vineyards. Believes that if not got rid of they will destroy all the fruit and 

 grain in the colony in a few v ears. Suggests, as means of destroying them, poisoning, 

 netting, and shooting them, and pulling down their nests. Thinks a tax of one far- 

 thing per acre on all lands under crop south of Blinman should be levied to secure 

 their destruction, or else let Sparrow districts be formed, the rates collected in which 

 for their destruction should be subsidized by Government at the rate of £2 for £1. 

 Is willing to co-ox>erate with the commission by forming a local committee, if thought 

 advisable. 



[William Urlwin, Salisbury.] 



Sparrows have established themselves in his district, and are very destructive to 

 fruit, especially to grapes. Has no doubt, also, that they do great mischief to crops 

 of wheat. Has tried poisoned wheat, but the great difficulty is to get them to take 

 it, even when mixed with good wheat. Has found fowls dead which have eaten the 

 poisoned wheat, and also cats, which he presumes had eaten the poisoned birds. 

 Thinks the offer of head-money for Sparrows would decrease their number, and this 

 could be paid through district councils and corporations. 



