54 NATURE STUDY IN SCHOOLS. 



captured by the British on Long Island, and confined, with others, on a 

 vessel, which was lying in Flat-bush Bay. This diary is exceedingly in- 

 teresting, as illustrating the condition of prisoners of war in those days. 

 The date of the resumption of the diary is September 8th, 1776, and con- 

 tinues each day until the 23rd of the month. 



COMMENT AND CRITICISM. 



In reading bird books, which are written in a popular style, we often 

 find some particular species of bird spoken of as a " cousin " of some other 

 closely allied species. For example, the jay is called a cousin of the 

 crow, and the bluebird is spoken of as the cousin of the robin. A moment's 

 reflection would show the author of such a book that no such relationship 

 really exists between such birds, and that such statements, although possibly 

 pleasing to children, are inaccurate. 



We are frequently asked by teachers and others who are studing birds, 

 where they can procure good field glasses. Mr. Andrew J. Lloyd, the op- 

 tician, on Washington St., Boston, is a bird student and keeps a special line 

 of field glasses, well adapted for the use of bird lessons. 



In view of the fact that the English sparrow has been a prominent ob- 

 ject of comment in the daily papers of late, especially in the vicinity of 

 Boston, we feel impelled to say a few words upon the subject. 



While we do not advocate the extermination of any species of animal, 

 we think that the sparrow in question should not be allowed to increase un- 

 duly. Some means should be devised to prevent its further multiplication. 



No trained ornithologist, who has given the matter the proper amount 

 of attention, thinks the English sparrow of any benefit to the agriculturist. In 

 fact, the sparrow had an impartial trial by the Agricultural Department of the 

 United States government a number of years ago, and was condemned by 

 overwhelming testimony. 



Over twenty years ago, we ventured to predict that the introduction of these 

 sparrows would prove a mistake. It is a well known law in nature, that 

 when any section of country is thoroughly occupied by any one species of 

 animal, that other species having similar habits, will not venture to encroach 

 upon this occupied territory. Thus it is, that the sparrows, being con- 

 stant residents, have, not by force of aggressiveness, but by simpl pos- 

 sessing the ground, driven out those of our native species of birds, which 

 nest in holes and boxes, such as the white-bellied swallow, purple martin, 



