The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-07-20
A Defence Of the English sparrow.

An anti-sparrow correspondent pro.
pounds series of conundrums which,
evidently, he thinks are quite unanswer-
able. Let US see about that. He asks
in what way is the sparrow useful. In
reply it may be asked, why was he
brought here, twelve years or more agof
Everybody except, possibly. our cores
pendent, can answer this question. At
that time outdoor life in this city was
almost intolerable, on account of the
repulsive presence of countless myriads
Of one of the most disagreeable worms
that ever afflicted mankind. What be-
came of those vile .'creepers?" How
long did they last after the sparrows
came, began to multiply, and got their
work in? How many of them are now
seen in this city or its vicinity? In thus
cleansing our trees, yards, squares and
parks the sparrow earned lasting debt
of gratitude. 1t Is declared that he is
''filthy;" had he been q bird of refined
taste he would not have eaten up the
nasty worms. He was assigned an ugly
piece of work and he did it well. Not
only these particular worms were wiped
out, however. but all other similar pests
are kept under by the birds in the city.
The sparrow has bad habits, but SO has
every species of created life. and we
must take him as he is or not at all.
We could not induce a similar or
sufficient number of any other kind
of birds to remain with US in the city
the year round and serve Us SO faith
fully. The charge that he destroys"
fruit-buds is very absurd; his prun-
ing process while in pursuit of insect
germs does infinite good and no APP
preciable harm results, as intelligent
observation will show. "He steals the
fruit" Indeed! And is there a Great
ure on wings anywhere, from the in
nocent little wren to the piratical hawk,
that will not take a ''bite" of straw
berry, cherry, grape, plum, etc.. now
and then? The robin, the most charm
ing of all the family. can hardly be
kept out of a cherry tree, even when it
is located right under your window; he
will help himself while you are in the
tree picking. But when he has been
digging worms for two months and
giving you the sweetest concerts, night
and morning. what Gradgrind you
would be to grudge him little cherry
dessert! But the sparrow gets up toe
early in the morning. and won't let
lazy people sleep till noon. Well, birds
generally have habit of early rising:
such an objection to the sparrow is ex-
tremely silly. .'He makes war on
other BIRDS Go out into the country
and villages roundabout and see and
hear the number of native birds on
every side, to be convinced to the con-
trary; nine-tenths of his battles are
within his own household. He eats
grain" Is there a bird extant that
won't eat grain occasionally? As for
his ''raiding'' and destroying" the
wheat fields, as charged. the statement
is utterly ridiculous. And when he is
there you will find him, as usual, doing
more good than harm. '.But he in
creases too rapidly Unfortunately,
instinct. and not reason. governs the
sparrow as well as other birds. Where
he is too numerous check him; but
don't destroy him entirely. and in do
ing this be careful you do not strike
other birds and household pets. Let
reason, common sense and justice
govern this matter, and not foolish,
stupid, ignorant clamor. Philadelphia
Telegraph.