72 
SPARROWS. 
whelming mass of testimony to the effect that the Sparrow drives 
away certain of onr most valued species of native birds” ; views of 
those whose crops have suffered, and those who have not known this 
happen ; and the statement “ that the bird feeds on fruit is amply 
attested.”—E d.] 
“ Our thirteenth question calls for information as to the Sparrow’s 
preference for food. Is it an insect-eater or a seed-eater ? Every 
reply to this question, which is based upon dissection, agrees in 
attributing to the bird a diet almost wholly vegetable. The statement 
of some observers, that it devours canker-worms and a variety of 
insects, is unaccompanied by reports of examinations of the stomach.” 
[Various other observations are given, which space does not allow 
of mention of, and the result of the whole is summed up as follows : 
the italics are my own.—E d.] 
“ The balance of public opinion is strongly adverse to the Sparrows. 
Our returns, however, show protective laws (usually the same statute 
which provides for the security of other small birds) in Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, 
Michigan, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The Massachusetts 
law has lately been repealed , and specially exempts the English Sparrow 
from protection. 
“ So much for the evidence. We have learned the capacity and 
disposition of this bird to injure grain and fruits, and that when 
gathered in large numbers it threatens very seriously the interests of 
the farmer and horticulturist. Although testimony of a certain kind 
indicates that its young are fed with insects, actual dissection shows 
that vegetable substances are mainly employed. The adult birds feed 
almost exclusively upon seeds and grains. They drive away from 
their accustomed haunts, either directly or indirectly, many of our 
native insectivorous species. It may be added that they have proved 
in recent years so destructive of crops in other countries as to render 
it necessary to enact laws looking to their extermination. In view of 
these facts, your committee believes that the European Sparrow 
(Passer domesticus ) is an ineligible species in this country, and that it 
was a mistaken policy to introduce the bird. And we would respect¬ 
fully recommend:— 
“ (1). That sheltering or otherwise fostering the Sparrow by the public be 
discouraged , and that its introduction artificially into new localities and its 
sale for such purposes be forbidden by law. 
“ (2). That all existing laws protecting the Sparrow be repealed, 
and that bounties be offered for its destruction. 
(Signed) J. B. Holder, Chairman, 
Eugene P. Bicknell, H. A. Purdie, 
Nathan Clifford Brown, Montague Chamberlain. 
