4 
HOUSE-SPARROW. 
still left them unmolested, imagining that some slight amends might he made as soon as their young needed 
providing for. In this, however, I was soon undeceived : the Sparrows collected in hundreds to prey upon the 
corn supplied to the Wild Duck, Wigeon, and Teal that were kept in confinement ; when the young broods were 
hatched out, the swarms rapidly increased, the soft food provided for the juveniles being carried olf in immense 
mouthfuls. To such an extent was this pilfering carried on that it became necessary to keep watch within the 
distance of a few yards while the ducklings satisfied their hunger, otherwise little would have fallen to their 
share. In order to lessen the numbers of the robbers, I was forced to make use of an air-gun, and at length 
succeeded in effecting a slight diminution ; neither the Wildfowl nor the Thrushes, Blackbirds, Starlings, Robins, 
Hedge-Sparrows, or Greenfinches that formed the other visitors to the ponds were in the least alarmed by the 
report of the gun or the effect on the Sparrows, even when turned over within the distance of little more than a 
foot. Although much has been written extolling their value as exterminators of insect pests, it is evident that 
Sparrows will shirk the labour of hunting out the larvae or caterpillars on which they usually feed their young 
if supplies of soaked bread, mashed potatoes, or other soft provision can be obtained with less exertion. These 
birds also often make their way (in not the slightest degree intimidated by a wire netting, through which they 
are able to force an entry) into the coops or enclosures where Chickens or Pigeons are kept, and steal their food, 
appropriating, in many instances, by far the larger portion. 
As the summer draws on, these persevering birds still continue to give trouble in the garden ; no sooner 
are the flower-beds put in order than lobelias, and other tender plants employed for bordering, are cropped off 
after the manner of the primroses. Red currants also are occasionally patronized to some extent, while for 
peas, when fit for gathering, they evince an especial taste. My attention was drawn early in the morning of 
.Tune 17, 1884, to the quantity destroyed in our garden, fully a quarter of the crop of green peas that were then 
ready for use having been utterly destroyed. The injury inflicted by this species can readily be detected from 
the well-defined nip given by the Hawfinch ; the Sparrow possessing less strength in the mandibles, is forced to 
gnaw his way gradually to the pea, while the latter leaves the shape of his powerful beak plainly visible on the 
outside of the pod. 
Early in the present year (1885) I again remarked the Sparrows were attacking the primroses, nibbling off 
the full-blown flowers, and biting far down into the crown to reach the budding shoots. Having been informed 
that thick white cotton strung up over the roots was a means of scaring these marauders, I resolved to try the 
experiment, and hundreds of yards were speedily put out, stretched across the ground on twigs inserted 
among the plants. This proved efficacious to a certain extent, but any exposed roots were still destroyed, and a 
more forcible remedy was evidently necessary. The air-gun used the previous season was of scarcely sufficient 
power to do the work thoroughly, so a light 24-bore double pin-fire breechloader with cartridges charged with 
dust-shot was employed, and after a few days’ shooting, some hundreds of Sparrows having been cleared off, the 
whole of the primroses were saved, the appearance of the thousands of roots bordering some of the paths in 
full bloom fully repaying the time and labour expended in their protection. As the season drew on, fresh birds 
were attracted to the garden, some to the pond for water, and others to the food provided for the pinioned 
Wildfowl ; these, however, were kept down by occasional watching and shooting. The peas also were well 
looked after, several lines of cotton having been stretched over every row ; and the intruding robbers meeting 
with a warm reception, scores being dropped while attempting to settle near the spot, they failed to inflict the 
slightest damage. A few weeks back I was informed that a large spreading pear-tree in a garden at Shoreham 
had been almost entirely denuded of bloom by these pests, and on making an investigation it was evident 
that the damage inflicted had not been exaggerated. A careful study of their habits has convinced me 
there is not the slightest doubt that Sparrows cause immense losses to both the farmer and gardener, 
which is by no means repaid by their clearing olf the insect posts so injurious to the crops. Should other 
food be procurable with less exertion, they resolutely refuse to perform their necessary duties, and, increasing 
