22 THE AUDUBON -BU LL Eis 
Once More, The English Sparrow 
Elsewhere appears the ominous report of the coming of the 
Starling to Illinois. A potential pest (there is said to be one for 
every fence post in some parts of rural England), its appearance 
is untimely and disconcerting when we are so little able to cope 
with the earlier importation, the English or House Sparrow. 
Although it is all an old story it should be repeated that we must 
focus more and more attention upon the Sparrow problem. He 
thrives in the role of outlaw without any of the picturesqueness 
and appeal that often goes with that. City blocks have been 
abandoned to him and as the disappearance of the horse from 
the city streets makes street sweepings less a source of revenue 
for the Sparrow he betakes himself in ever increasing numbers to 
the country. Rural districts are becoming densely populated and 
the farmers’ barns are being transformed into huge caravansaries 
for Sparrows. Let us even now as we confer about it highly re- 
solve to go forth at this the nesting season and with pole and hook 
dislodge these unwelcome tenants. We print herewith three 
welcome reports upon Sparrow extermination. The first is from 
Professor Frank Smith of Urbana. 
“An attempt to reduce the English Sparrow population has 
been one of the pastimes of the writer during the past year. Be- 
side the natural dislike of a bird lover for the pests there has 
been a desire to be better qualified to help others who might have 
similar dislikes and ask for information concerning methods of 
elimination. The first trap used was one of the type commonly 
known as the “Government” Sparrow trap with which 18 of the 
Sparrows were caught from March 17th to April Ist, inclusive. 
Better results would very probably have followed more pains- 
taking and time consuming attention. Beginning with April 12, 
a trap advertised in Bird-Lore and known as the Ever Set Trap 
was used during the remainder of the year. One female Cowbird 
and 504 English Sparrows were caught in this trap from April 
12 to December 31 inclusive. There were occasional periods of 
one to three weeks in which the trap was not in use. The number 
of birds taken and the amount of time which the trap was in use 
follow: In April (10 days), 1 Cowbird and 52 Sparrows; in May 
(10 days), 39 Sparrows; in June (28 days), 168 Sparrows; in 
July and August, by a neighbor, 164 Sparrows; in September 
(10 days), 6 Sparrows; in October (30 days), 40 Sparrows; in 
November (17 days), 17 Sparrows; in December (15 days), 18 
Sparrows. Total with both traps: 1 Cowbird and 522 English 
Sparrows. Greatest catch in an interval of 24 hours, 23 birds. 
The Ever Set Trap required no attention other than the 
provision of decoys and bait in the morning and the removal of 
the catch at night. The majority of the birds taken in June 
were juvenile. The trapping activities were carried on in an 
ordinary city backyard, in a residence district with no vacant 
