Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-15
THE sPARRows AGAIN.



Audi A1teHom Paftem
To Ae Editor Of TIE Evening star:
Your correspondent, Prof Ridgway, in very
careful and impartial article, approaches the
sparrow controversy in q truly scientific of ju-
dictal manner as distinguished from the man
ner Of the advocate, DR.. Coues; but admitting
his facts, fail to see how he arrives at the con-
clusiOn-" that, let the sparrows increase to ten
times their present numbers, the visitation q
| suppose he means injury or disaster) will come
when, in due course of natures laws, the proper
time arrives" I think there is nothing in the
present or past history of the eparrows to JUS
tify this assumptiOn-at least nothing Of the
sort has been shown. On the contrary, point
to the TACT and defy proof to the contrary, that
the foliage on our trees for the past ten years
and l think that is long enough period
to warrant conciusion-wiIl more than favor
ably compare with any similar previous period.
Considering their environment, it is wonderful
that the trees survive at all, deprived as they
are OF moisture in consequence Of the concrete
pavements. No champion Of the sparrows has
asserted that the shade trees have not suf-
fered from the depredations of insects since the
introduction of the sparrows," as Prof Ridg-
way makes US say. We claim improvement
to assume because of certain individual Opin-
ions, based upon no previous state Of ascer
tanned facts, that injury will follow. II that be
so, show the injury. At the foot Of the lower
steps Of the Capitol, west side, formerly stood
two noble elm trees, which were entirely de-
nuded Of their leaves every year by insects be-
fore midsummer. Ingenuity was exhausted to
exterminate the pests, without avail and the
trees were finally cut down in despair. This
was before the sparrows came hither There
Is but little difference in the facts upon which
Prof r. and myself come to opposite cOncl1i-
sions He says there are fewer wiens Agreed;
but think there are more robins, and. as for the
song sparrow, he has not retained much of foot
ing since we attained the proportions Of city.
On the very spot where the professor dates his
communication, clouds OF grasshoppers would
arise as one walked forty years ago. His little
episode Of ''claim jumping" by the European
sparrow think has been already tempted by
some of our native species, as probably some of
the books on his shelves will bear record. In
considering this question: there are two strong
points which have been overlooked by the
enemies OF the sparrows, Prof: R: included.
First, the extraordinary fecundity Of the spar
rows. Raising several broOds each seasons it
will readily be that the amount of insect food
required to feed their young has been greatly
underestimate by Prof. Ridgway. An English
authority states that:
srys are DESTROYED BY spsrrows and in this they
ton s Sszs Of grain in
means for their destruction. But
has been followed by Increase of ca4erpars vastly
more more INJURIOUS to the crops than the sparrows them
1 give one instance of American opinion,
Clipped from Forest and Stream:
49,. "A yoIcE ron THE sPaRKows;-The great depreda
many sections Chester and Delasare coans
ties dnrng the season nus. closed is ascrbed BY many
lawful 70 destroy
ANOTHER CONSIDERATION.
Second, the Larvae destroyed by them in win
ter. That they do this is established by the fact
OF their existence under conditions where little
other food is to be found. 1 have often seen
them industriously exploring the trunks and
branches OF trees at this season. as if in search of
such food. The good they do in this way is in
calculabe; and it will be observed they are
prosecuting this work when our own feathered
tribes are prospecting elsewhere. Prof. r. saws
the defenders of the sparrows are in the mi
nOrity. That may be true. and yet easily &C
counted for. One positive opinion, sturdily adj
Vanced and maintained. will lead scores of per-
sons with negative minds; and as these last al
ways comprise the majority. the reason Is OBJ
Vlous. DR.. COues started this warfare in a very
positive way long before the friends of the spar
rows thought any defense necessary and in that
way Created public opinion adverse to them.
1t Will be seen. however. by a comparison of the
views OF Dr. COues and Prof. 4. that there is a
radical difference between them on the facts
upon which they come to the same conclusion
Who shall decide when doctors disagree?
GOOD WORD FOR THE CROW
There is an equilibrium in nature that no wise
man would destroy. Even the despised and
prosecuted crow has an important function to
perform in the economy of life. am satisfied
that he destroys great many enemies Of vege-
tatiOn. for have watched him often progging
the fields where there was scarcely the possibil-
ity OF grain food, and have seen him in the
spring following the farmer Is he turns his far
rows, seeking worms and grubs. To preserve
this equilibrium nature will see to it that the At
survive. unless ruthless man interpose to his
own hurt. Because love the sparr0ws, don't
love the other birds less and when the ground
fs covered with snow iced all that come near
my dODfcife. The fact. IL it be fact, that the
foreign sparrows crowd out the native birds Ia
have come to stay. and any plans for their ex-
termination that may be adopted will prove fa-
tile. GEO. C. HENN1NG.