THE SPARROW— FOR AND AGAINST. 47 
nest down. Again and again this occurred, until the owner 
of the house had two pieces of wood fixed up so as to hide 
and protect the nest — leaving an entrance and exit for the 
birds at the end. The old birds seemed to realise this new 
structure was for their special benefit, and instead of being 
frightened away by it they commenced at once to finish their 
nest in the inside, where the brood were after-wards safely 
brought up. 
In the early part of the following spring a male sparrow 
might be seen sitting on the spout directly over the site of the 
martens’ old nest, calling incessantly to his mate, and ready to 
do battle with any other male sparrow that ventured too near 
his now sacred ground. A few weeks later, and the protection 
put up for the benefit of the martens contained the clumsy, 
strawy nest of the sparrows — and a very snug place it was too. 
And all this happened before the martens thought of leaving 
their winter quarters. I watched intently for their arrival, 
expecting to see at least some attempt to regain their rightful 
possession, but I was disappointed. They resigned themselves 
to their fate, and after spending two or three days in flying 
about their old quarters, sought fresh grounds. I do not think 
they left the neighbourhood, as a pair built in a new situation 
in the next street. 
I believe that the number of cases where the martens are 
“ actually driven out ” of their nests by sparrows is very greatly 
exaggerated. Certainly the martens seem to be decreasing as 
builders on human dwellings. But are the sparrows the sole 
cause? On the cliffs in Wharfedale (Yorkshire) the martens 
seem to me to be increasing. 
I do not think it is generally known that if a house marten’s 
nest be pulled down (no matter what it may contain) it is almost 
invariably built up again in the same place. If, however, the 
contents be taken and the nest left standing intact, the birds are 
sure to desert it and build another elsewhere. 
The sparrow, in its ever-increasing numbers, is certainly a 
pest, and a great curse to the agriculturist. If it were reduced 
to its normal numbers it might be of use to its present sufferers.' 
The sparrows in the towns — while they keep to the towns — 
are really useful birds. They clear away many minute particles 
of matter which would otherwise decompose and make the 
atmosphere more impure. Our scavengers and sanitary systems 
can free us of the larger masses, but for the numerous smaller 
particles we must call in the help of the smaller animals. 
Harry B. Booth. 
Kings Lynn. 
In this short reply to some of the correspondents in your last 
issue, I must begin by entreating Selbornians — especially the 
ladies — not to be carried away by sentiment in favour of the 
sparrow, and to remember that it is only of the common house- 
