PRESERVATION OF SMALL BIRDS. 
In my opinion we shoLild commit a great blunder in 
the too careful preservation of those kinds that would soon 
become a nuisance, and cause a very grievous loss in con- 
sequence of the depredations they commit. Among the 
foremost of these I may mention the common house- 
sparrow ; he is a bold, cunning, and determined thief, and 
for many years past every endeavour has been made in 
the Gardens to reduce their numbers, not only by shooting, 
netting, and otherwise catching the old birds, but by 
taking their young and using them as iood for the more 
rare birds and animals. Yet, notwithstanding the united 
efforts of every keeper here, they are quite as numerous 
as ever, and had not those constant efforts to keep them 
down been resorted to, it would be quite impossible to 
keep (unless in sparrow-proof cages) any other grain or 
seed-eating birds or animals. They would so consume the 
food that other birds and animals less bold than themselves 
would be starved by them. 
We have had, however, some slight return for the great 
damage they do, by feeding the small hawks, owls, and 
animals on their dead bodies, and so regular has this 
supply become that it is depended on for the purpose, and 
renders their destruction of value, not only in keeping 
their increase in check, but as supplying a very necessary 
and delicate food for rare and interesting animals, that 
344 
