Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-21
A Defense of the English Sparrosvs.

IRON tie Philadelphia Telegraph.
An anti-sparrow correspondent propoupds a
series OF conundrums which, evidently he thinks
are quite unanswerable 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 ago? Everybody except,
possibly, our correspondent, can answer this
question. At that time outdoor life in this city
was almost intOlerable, on account of the repul-
sive presence OF countless myriads of one of the
most disagreeable worms that ever afflicted
mankind. What became Of those vile creep
ers"! How long did they last after the SPAR
rows came, began to multiply, and got their
work in5 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 a lasting debt of gratitude. 1t is declar-
ed that he Is "ilthy;" had he been bird of re-
fined taste he would not have eaten up the nasty
worms he was assigned an ugly piece OF work
and he did 1t 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 az
he Is or not at all. We could not induce similar
or sufficient number of any other kind of birds
TO remain with Us in the city the year round and
serve US 50 faithfully 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 appreciate harm re-
suits, as Intelligent observation will show. "He
steals the fruit" Indeed! And is there crea-
ture ON wings anywhere, from the innocent
little wren to the piratical hawk, that will not
take Q "bite" of strawberry, cherry. grape,
plum. etc.. now and then2 The robin, the most
charming Of ali the family, can hardly be kept
out OF 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
mas 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 too 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 extremely silly s.He
makes war On other birds" Go out into the
country and villages roundabout and see and
near the number Of native birds on every side
TO be convinced to the contrary; nine-tenths of
his battles are within his own household. HE
eats grain" Is there q bird extant that won't
eat grain occasionally? AS for his s.raiding''
and destroying" the wheat fields, as charged.
the statement is utterly ridiculous And when
ne Is there you will find him. as usual, doing
more good than harm. "But he increases too
rapidly" Unfortunately. instinct. and not rea-
son, governs the sparrow as well as other birds.
" mere ne Is too numerous check him; but don't
destroy him entirely. and in doing this be care
fui you do not strike other birds and household
pets. Let reason, common sense and justice
govern this matter, and not foolish stupid, igno-