THE PEST OF ENGLISH SPARROWS 



949 



tacks other familiar native birds, as the 

 robin, wren, red-eyed vireo, catbird, and 

 mocking bird, causing them to desert 

 parks and shady streets of towns. Un- 

 like our native birds whose places it 

 usurps, it has no song, but is noisy and 

 vituperative. It defiles buildings and 

 ornamental trees, shrubs, and vines with 

 its excrement and with its bulky nests. 



The evidence against the English spar- 

 row is overwhelming, and the present 

 unfriendly attitude of the public toward 

 it is reflected in our State laws. No- 

 where is it included among the birds that 

 are protected. In response to frequent 

 inquiries for means of abating the spar- 

 row nuisance received by the United 

 States Biological Survey, a few approved 



methods applicable to dif¥erent conditions 

 are here described. 



Sparrows frequently give annoyance by 

 roosting in ornamental vines and in crev- 

 ices about buildings. If driven out late at 

 night, several nights in succession, they 

 will usually desert the roost. A jet of water 

 from a garden hose is a potent disturber, 

 particularly on frosty nights. Where 

 water is not available, small Roman can- 

 dles may be employed. 



Though sparrows may be driven from 

 a given neighborhood, the relief thus ob- 

 tained is only temporary, and has the 

 further objection that the nuisance is 

 simply transferred elsewhere. More dras- 

 tic action is therefore preferable. 



The most efifective method of prevent- 



