Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-08

bird spreads itself over the country and in
stantly adapts itself to new surroundings.
Many writer's maintain that our native birds
do not seek the eompanionship of man. That
this Is libel upon our feathered friends can be
readily proven. What has become Of the orioles,
catbirds, robins, and numerous other species
which. before the Introduction Of the house spar
row, were regular and not uncommon denizens
OF the parks Of Washington? They were surely
once here in forco, although they came unbid-
dell and with no encouragement to remain. Had
the same care been taken to provide boxes for
them that has been exercised in the case Of the
public grounds OF Washington would have been
full OF wrehs and bluebirds, while the same pro-
lection toward other native species would have
attracted and encouraged them also. This Is
question which can admit OF no doubt what
ever. have now before me carefully prepared
list of eighty-fo different species of birds ,ohich
ha6at,Aduy nested inside the corporation limits of
the town above alluded to. Every door, yard.
garden and orchard was full of gay-plumaged,
sweet-vOced native birds, while even the shade
trees along the principal street were alive with
them. 1t was estimated by friend-a we'll
known ofnitholOgist-and myself, that in that
town there was at the time of our visit at least
one pair of wrens to every two residences in the
place; while catblrds, orioles two species).
bluebirds, purple martins, chipping sparrows,
reedbirds, buejays and numerous other species
abounded. This was before the sparrows came.
During recent visit the sad change was at
once apparent. Birds there were in plenty; but
the f1uttering crowds Of sparrows congregated
about some fresh droppings in the street, or
chattering Mostly among the shade trees Or
about the caves were alone conspicuous.
AS to the best means OF suppressing the spar
row nuisance, am at loss for practicable
suggestion. l do not favor putting the matter
into the hands of the boys. as has been sug-
gested by DR.. Coues. for many boys would not
discriminate between sparrOws and other birds,
especially the song sparrow; besides, there are
other reasons. II the people will themselves
take the matter in hand, and each one prevent
the sparrow from maintaining foothold upon
his or her premises, much good might be accom-
plished, for I am sure that were united action
to be taken according to each ones convictions
In the matter, those who would suffer the inter-
lOper to remain would be vastly in the minority.
The trouble is. however that in any community
the majority Of people are more or less indiffer
ent to such matters.
The assertion that the shade trees have not
suffered from the depredations of insects since
the introduction Of the sparrows is negatived by
the experience of other cities. 1t may be true
that no such serious plague of this kind has re-
Gently occurred. but it does not necessarily fol-
low that the sparrows are the cause. On the
contrary, believe that, let the sparrows in
crease to ten times their present numbers, the
visitation will come when, in due course Of ma
lures laws the proper time arrives.
Very respectfully, ROBERT RIDGwAY,
Curator, Department Birds, U. s. National Mu-
scum.