National Republican., 1883-08-07

able to native insectivorous species. Any
argument drawn from the state of tho case in
Europe, therefore, must fail Of equal, If not
of any, applicability to tho condition of
affairs in this country; the problems involved
are diverse.
might enter into practically endless de-
tail in this matter. but am satisfied to rest
upon tho general statement of the case, re-
ferring the reader to the photography which
follows for numberless data bearing upon tho
subject. IL is not necessary to the integrity
and validity Of my argument that every idle
result here indicated or predicted should
have actually been experienced in full force
indeed, the threshold of no such experiment
can moro than foreshadow tho future state of
tho case. | am content to offer what believe
to be the true limo Of argument upon
premises which have already become matters
of common experience.
While treating this subject on a former oc-
casion in magazine article, offered some
suggestions and recommendations touching
tho practical question of how to deal with the
birds; and | have now no hesitation in re-
itcrating the advice then given. A matter of
sentiment versus science lone which, by the
way, has profoundly affected somo much
gravcr problems than any that ornithology
has given rise to) renders it improbable that
at present. or for somo time TO come, any
wholesale destruction of the birds will be en-
something may be done toward quietly and
gradually abating the nuisance. The best
way TO do as IL seems TO me, is TO attempt to
restore disturbed balance of power by those
means which tend TO diminish the present
extraordinary multiplication of the birds,
and to bring them rs quickly as possible into
the category of quas-native species. If they
cannot be abolished let them be put rs nearly
on level with native birds as may be practi-
cable For, in 80 doing, we are on the way to
the establishment of q state of things more
nearly parallel with the case in those cOun-
tries where the birds are indigenous. Some
might suppose il desirable to keep the birds
as long and as closely as possible in the
cities, where they chiefly flourish now, in or
der to postpone their attacks upon the crops;
but such course, am persuaded would be
merely TO temporizo with an evil not 70 be
cured in that way; and, therefore, would be
q mistaken policy.
The gist of my present recommendations
is, to let the birds shift for themselves, and to
abolish any legal penalty for killing them ;
to put them on the same.footng as our native
birds, by removing boxes and all other special
contrivauces for their accomm odation, and by
Withholding special supplies of food and
building materials; in fine, to let them alone,
without benefit of the law, which now pro.
tects them from most of the vicisstudes of
bird life. l may add that, like other small
granivorous birds, they make an excellent
appearance upon the table, and Furthermore
might be advantageously substituted in shoot
ing matches between sportsmen for the
pigeons now usually employed for that pur-
pose. By such gradually and continuously
operating means and without needless
cruelty, or shock to the most refined sensi-
bilities, the numbers of sparrows might be
kept down, if not materially diminished.
How such advice may strike my
4 L.. L.
measure upon their respective pre-
possessions; whether or not it will be
needed remains to be seen. OF its propriety
and eXpediency l have no doubt whatever,
and having given it in good faith, according
to my understanding of the case, with the
argument leading up to it, my personal in
terest in the matter ceases.
1t may, however, not unnaturally be eX-
pected that an article like the present shall
make some allusion to the personal aspects of
controversy, the bitterness and obstinacy of
which may have amused many who took no
purt in it, but which certainly is deplored
by those upon whom has been forced an ex-
tremely undesirable notoriety. Among such
persons, it is, perhaps, safe to say that Dr.
Thomas M. Brewer and the present writer
have not been among tho least prominent.
These two persons have looked at tho case
from such different standpoints, and through
perspectives so diverse, thatit has prove IL i'm
possible for them to agree on the least essen
tial particular; while the mutual re-
action of each others idiosyncracies
has sutficed, in the course of an un-
usually prOtructed discussion, for the display
of much of the human nature which orni-
biologists share with the rest of mankind.
1t is said to be sad when brothers fall apart /;
there is said to be no match for family
feuds and expressions have doubtless escaped
the present writer Which he would wish to
recall, could he do so, as tending to prolong
profitless issue-as inspired rather by quick
feeling than by mature judgment, and as ir-
relevant to the scientific aspects OF the uues-
tion under discussion.
But the masks which all humanity find it
convenient or necessary to wear at times
have their comic as well as their serious sides;
and no one need feel IL beneath his dignity to
be diverted whenever this tiresome world
will afford him the opportunity. Tho "Spar-
row Question" with all its Importance, has
yet disclosed some elements of the ludicrous,
as in the case which my readers very humble
servant will be good enough to put on per-
manont record for their entertainment. For
it is a fact that Mr.. Henry Bergh, of
New York, president of the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
in his enviable character of "a Christian gem
tleman, as well as in The possession of the
perhaps undesirable reputation of II pEo-
lcSSlOiul UnlIuHlnTOplSt, inuIb PUBIC use Ul
the following temperate and carefully con-
sidered language in communication ad-
dressed to the editors of the Popular Science
Monthly"
"Who this enemy to God through one of his
works, is know not-whether he Is n Zulu or an
American savage | care not. This man dares 10
reOukc the Maker of all things by calling the in
noceut little oring n wretched interlOper."
This person who thus arraigns his Creator and at
tributes human nlibillty to the Infinite belongs
1t seems, To Il profession which should purge itself
the meaning Of humanity and good policy. nor
yet the fact that God has not created anything in
vain-nOt even Elliott CoueS. This inverted
genius suggests the policy of founding Il school
wherein boys may be educated in tho practice
of murder, which, of course. includes all other
social crimes. His pupils in time would grad
uate from his college with all the honors enjoyed
by the most distlngu shed students of crime that
have ended their days upon the scaiold 1t is said
that the inventor of the guillotine was the first
Hsculapius would only introduce his beautiful
theory among us here in New YORK so
that the undersigned might profit by the OppOr-
tunity of making him acquainted with the legal
guillotlne which howould certainly be compelled
10 GscCnd!-llENRY BERGH.
Some may be surprised to discover that an
enemy to God rcbuked his Maker, arraigncd
his Creator, attributed human fallibility to
the Infinite and also proposed to found a
training school for murderers in an article
entitled The lneligibility of the European
House Sparrow in America
Pound Party 10 the Sisters OF the Good
Shepherd.
A quiet but substantial pound party was
rendered the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at