Morning journal and courier., 1886-08-03
THE SPARRON.

THE SPARROW.
Isird-A Great Insect Eater-Valua-
BILE to New Haven,s Films and other
Trees-The Sparrow as Found I'm Old
En&Iand-Is the American Bird De.
generate7
A New Haven gentleman writes as follows
on a subject with which he is familiar and
has long taken personal interest in:
Would you allow me, dear COURIER,
space in your paper to say little on the
kind of sparrows that we have in England,
as much is being said about the English
sparrows at this time in this country. In
our country we call it the house sparrow.
What have to say, therefore, will be from
practical observation, as I have been close
observer of this bird for many years. In
the first place could say that have gath
cred more from the bird to assist me in the
great life lesson, daily trust in an all wise
Creator, than from any other bird in crea
TONS grand list or from humanity itself with
all its knowledge and learning. The sparrow
is great insect eater, but never living en-
tirely upon insects. Its great use and value
is in checking the increase of insects. Also
as it is not migratory and insects not to
be found for many months during
the year the sparrow is obliged
to find in those months other food.
1t eats small green tree worm, very de-
structive to the leaves of some trees, such as
the elm; yet there are other insects and
worms that will sometimes attack the trees
which sparrows never touch, as like other
insect birds they only eat certain kind of
insect. And l have never known trees to
suffer seriously when sparrows are numerous.
They eat also grass insects, insects found in
the bark of trees, small moths and other
winged insects, and will diligently seek for
| insects in buds in spring time, as a rule eat
ing only small insects. would give the
| sparrow free access to garden or field at all
| times of the year and ever encourage them
| to come, for the reported mischief charged
| against them is more than lost i'll the great
good they do.
am very pleased also to say that the
sparrow, with other birds, will go into gar
den and field in fruit and grain season and
take for their little ones, thus indicating the
goodness and justice of an all bountiful
Creator, " no sends ample for all his creatures;
for man must not suppose that everything
was made to go into his thankless mouth,
and to minister to his greedy and avaricious
nature, there other creatures in crea-
ton to be fed and cared for worthy
he is.
AS neighbor the sparrow lives on the
most peaceful terms with other birds, max
ing their nests, rearing their young together,
always attracting, never driving away. And
to its immortal credit, never have seen it
at,any time attempt to touch or modest other
| birds.
Finally it carries out in every particular
| the divine law under which it was created.
Thus have given an honest description of
the sparrow as it is found in England.
Now to its reputed condition in Amer
ica- On my coming to this country few
years ago, was pleased to meet my life
companion and little friend, the sparrow, but
to my great surprise began to hear strange
things about it. And now give a list of
what they say it is and what it does in this
country, chiefly gathered from newspapers:
First as to what it is-a pest, thief, a
skunk, scavenger, dirty shrinking. Second
as to what it does-hang each other, import
carpet bugs into houses, takes matches up
and set fire to houses, never touches an in
sect, will soon bankrupt gardener and farm
er, tears all other birds nests to pieces, breaks
all the eggs, kills all the young birds and
finally fights and drives all other birds away.
Therefore, and in view of all this, has no
friend in heaven or earth and none who dare
stand up and say good word for it.
Then, Mr.. COURIER, I could but say if this
is really its condition here it must have come
to a very bad place and learned dAplor-
abe habits in this country, for am thankful
to say we have no such bird as this in Eng
land and should be justly ashamed of my
country if the birds acquired such habits
there. But presume it has not yet got to
the bottom of its criminal career here, thus
leaving some little hope for lis reformation,
for have never yet heard it charged with
using profane language, lying, drunkenness
and chewing tobacco and if the sparrow &C
cusers are doing an. of these things would
honestly tell them they are setting very
bad example. Now Mr.. Editor if these
charges against the sparrow can be right
eously established let the American sparrow
be destroyed for it is not fit to live; but if
| not with one addition 1 shall use the words
| of that noble gentleman Mr.. Bergh in Center
| church the other week, that it is cowardly,
| diabolical and cruel to bring such charges
| against an unoffending little bird.
| A LOVER OF ALL GODS DUMB CREATURES