Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-14
THU SPARROW NUISANCE.
DiscOuraging View by n Distinguished
Naturalist.

To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
1t is now about ten years since I first ventured
to predict the result of the foolish experiment OF
Introducing the European sparrOws into this
country. My prediction was based simply upon
the knowledge which any OrnithOlOgst might
possess, or should possess. respecting the nature
and habits of this sturdy little bird, and the
results of its acclimatiZatiOn in other countries
During the period referred to- have written
and published great deal on the subject, but
to little purpose, because public sentiment
based on nothing in particular, was against me-
though nearly every scientist in the country
sided with me in what came to be known as the
'sparrOW war" Now that the character of the
nuisance has become known, by universal ex-
perience. and is fully appreciated, public opinion
is reversed. and some OF the state legislatures
have at length taken steps to abate the nuisance
at least to the extent of removing the legal in
functions against killing the birds. have lately
taken no part in these movements, being salts
fed that legislation might now be just as well
directed against rats, or cOckrOaches, or any
other human parasites which have acquired firm
fOOthOld
1t is always one and the same story, whether
of plants or of animals, when exotic species.
fitted by nature to thrive best under conditions
which man himself affords are imported and
natuTaliZed in any country. The white weed,
and some of the thstles, and various other nOx-
1Ous or undesirable plants; the hOuse-rats mice,
reaches. &C.. all belong to the same category to
which we have added the sparrow, with the same
result that has attended it's introduction In Aus
tralia and New Zealand. In Australia. for eX-
ample, the government has found it necessary
TO take the most active steps to suppress the
birds, appointing commission to report the
best means for its determination, Offering boun-
ties for its destruction, &c.
The annoyance caused by the sparrOws being
matter of universal experience need not be
here detailed. l have no doubt however that
1t reaches so far rs to now and then make a
great difference in the health of nervous inva-
lids or those cOnvalescing from dsease-possi-
bly, difference of life or death occasionally.
The hostility between the sparrow and native
birds is now admitted, our best sOngsters and
most agreeable feathered friends being invaria-
bly, ousted by these sturdy vul"arians. 1t is
also perfectly we'll known that the sparrOWs
fail to do. OR do but impcrfectly and exception
ally, the work of insect-eating which they were
imported to perform and why indeed should
they be expected to alter their natural appe-
titles to suit our convenience. they being conf
rostral granivOrOus birds like all of their tribe
Their rate Of increase is extraordinary They nor
maily breed during the greater part of the year,
raising five or six young at nestful, and have
In this country at least. absolutely no natural
checks upon their limitless increase-a rate of
propagation which the law has done everything
to foster. They are still confined mainly to
towns and cities. where they are rather nui-
sance than positive damage; but the worst is
yet to come. when In due time they overflow
into the country and descend upon the farmers
crops. We already have loud complaints from
agricultnrists, though we have had the sparrOws
in numbers for only about decade. What will
1t be generation hence? Present Indications
are that some millions of dollars will annually
go down the birds thrOats
The mere removal of the legal penalties for
destroying the birds will have little or no effect
This should be followed up by active measures
In our own city, at least do not think 1t would be
very difficult to get rid of the BIRDS or very mater
ally reduce their numbers, # their systematic de-
structiOn were made part of the work of pre-
serving our parks and streets, to be undertaken
like any other public service. and properly paid
for. If a small bounty for their heads were Of
fered the boys might kill few before they tired
of the sport, but nothing of that sort would do
much good.
Some time ago I sent an official cOmmunica-
ton to the District Commissioners on this sub
ject. The time for action had then not come,
apparently, but it may be different now, and |
think that the recommendations / then made
might now be prOitably looked up and acted
upon. Personally, l am almost as tired of
writing against the sparrOws as am of the
sparrows themselves. If The STAR will take
up the subject and keep it up till something is
done. much good may be accomplished which
no private Individual can expect to effect IN
aided. Very truly, yours,
ELLIOTT COUEs