132 
Estabrook, The English Sparrow Problem . 
r Auk 
L April 
the country, no lasting, permanent effect is secured. The methods 
used are mostly that of poisoned grain, destroying nests and young, 
and shooting.- 
4. What influence have you observed the English Sparrow to 
have upon native birds? 
The influence of the sparrow upon native birds is the crucial 
point in this discussion. It is not a question of how many insects 
it eats; it is whether our native birds would be better off without 
the intruder or not. There were two people, who liked to see the 
bird about in winter, when the other birds were away. A larger 
number honestly believed that the bird was doing a good service 
in the eating of weed seed. These few, however, admitted that 
the English Sparrow did attack and harass other birds. The rest 
of the letters were against the sparrow. Many give personal 
experiences of the sparrow’s pugnacity and plead for a sure and 
certain method to get rid of the species. Others are up and doing 
and are killing off thousands each year, by poison and the gun. I 
will quote here three extracts : 
“I have frequently observed that the English Sparrow chased 
the Robins off the State College Campus (Harrisburgh), and last 
year at my residence on the Penn. State College, I saw a male 
sparrow kill and drop from the nest four young Pewees, about a 
week or two old. The parents which are recognized as being 
among the most insectivorous birds, were entirely helpless in the 
presence of the intruder and destroyer of their young.” — H. Ii. 
Surface, Pa. 
“Have seen them rob Bluebirds’ nests, drive away Robins, 
Wrens, and Crested Flycatchers.” — H. Link, Indiana. 
“The Purple Martins long disputed the possession of their boxes 
with the sparrows but eventually were compelled to give them at 
least half the compartments in each box. The Swallows and Blue- 
birds were driven out nearly altogether for many years, but of 
recent years have made increased use of the boxes. The Purple 
Martins are practically gone, and I doubt if the Bluebirds or Swal- 
lows would be allowed to nest, if the sparrows occupying the boxes 
were not turned out and their nests destroyed, as I have been in the 
habit of doing .” — James H. Fleming, Toronto, Ontario. 
5. Would public opinion in your locality favor the adoption of 
effective measures to exterminate the species ? 
