8 
Haying tried to do without birds the French have realised their 
economic value, and wish to get them back again. 
My feeling is that the birds in Class I. should be universally 
sacrosanct (together with many other rare and beautiful birds) ; 
but those in Class II. should be as much as possible prevented 
from doing serious harm by netting, scaring, etc. But a few must 
be shot at certain times in self-defence. 
Personally I consider that only one bird should be shot 
“on sight,” and that is the domestic Sparrow, whose relations to 
man are on a par with those of rats, mice, and other human 
parasites. Corn is his staple food, and although fairly omnivorous, 
he never is found living far from it. Undoubtedly he does much 
good by feeding his callow young on caterpillars, and by eating 
weed-seeds in early winter, when corn is hard to come by, but 
these virtues are outweighed by far worse misdeeds. He has 
robbed England of one of its greatest summer joys by wholesale 
persecution of Martins, which cannot nest in security where 
Sparrows abound ( i.e ., in every district where corn is grown). 
It is probable that he is not an indigenous bird, as he is one of 
the first birds to roost, one of the latest to breakfast. If he were 
destroyed his place would most likely be taken by the native Tree 
Sparrow, which is more useful, tuneful, and beautiful, for this has 
been the case at my own home. Tree Sparrows used to be rare 
birds with us, but now they stay with us in abundance all the year 
round—entirely, I believe, because the House Sparrows have been 
kept down. A full account of the latter’s food and habits may be 
found in the “House Sparrow” (Wesley and Son), which is one 
of the most complete monographs written on any British bird. Of 
House Sparrows alone the motto may be laid down as an economic 
maxim: 
“ That the bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” 
Champion B. Russell. 
February , 1903. 
Copies of this Pamphlet (4d. per doz.; 2s. 6d. per 100) may he obtained 
from the Society for the Protection of Birds, 3, Hanover Square, 
London, W. 
9153] 
Withekby & Co., Printers, 326, High Holborn, London, W.C. 
Telephone No. 92 Holborn. 
