Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-05-16
Agricultural.
The English sParrow--.Birds PrOtec'
ed by Law.

~ ~ 4AWe
A few years ago there were not lacking
many friends Of the English sparrow. As
they become better known they find few de-
Tenders. Almost everyone now regards them
az a nuisance. These birds are not yet 80
numerous rs to attract much attention in this
state except in some Of the larger towns and
villages where II is their habit to oongregate,
but they are extremely prolific and IL no
means are taken TO keep them in check, they
may become q great pest here, as they al
ready are in eastern Massachusetts, and In
other portions Of the country. They feed
mostly on grain, fruit and seeds, seldom or
never troubling insects. They have become
30 numerous in some parts Of Europe that
they destroy millions of bushels Of grain an
nually. They have spread into northern AT
RIGA, where they have increased to such i'm
mense numbers, that their nests on $50 acres
have been estimated at more than 200, 900.
In France, though they are outlawod and
great numbers of them are killed, it is said
that they destroy 10, OOO 900 bushels Of grain
annually.
These sparrows are natives Of the British
Islands, from which they we're imported 10
this country, where they have increased more
than a million fold. More sentimental than
accurate in their knowledge, the importers
thought these birds would be a great acquisi
ton to the farmers, and the laws Of many Of
the states made it an offense to destroy them.
These laws are still in force in some states,
while Germany pays a bounty for their de
struction. The law including them among
the protected birds in Massachusetts, was re-
pealed last winter. The Vermont law for the
protection of small birds enacts that, "a per
son who Intentionally shoots or otherwise
wounds, kills or destroys, ensnRres or cap
tures robin, blue bird, yellow bird, cherry
or cedar bird, cat bird, wren, warbler, wood
pecker, martin, swallow, night hawk, creeper,
bunting, or humming bird, or destroys the
nests or eggs Of any such birds, shall forfeit
ten dollars, which may be recovered In an &C.
ton of debt, with COSTS by any person who
sues for the same" 1t will be seen that the
sparrow, and the ground bird, which is our
most common sparrow, are included in the
list of birds protected in Vermont, but 1t is
doubtful whether the law would be construed
to apply to the English sparrow. The Eng
lsh sparrow could hardly have been intended
because it was not at the time the law was
enacted, generally known in this state. In
any case, probably, no prosecution would be
made for destroying them. In England they
are kept in check by poisoning This is a
very Objectionable and dangerous method Of
destroying them. In this state any personde-
posting poison or poisonous substances upon
his own land or lands of another, except for
the purpose of destroying insects injurious to
vegetation, is liable to a fine of not less than
ten nor more than fifty dollars and to pay all
damages that may result in consequence. II
these sparrows are likely to become as great
a nuisance here as they are said to be in Eu-
rope, they should be destroyed by safer means
before they become too numerous