The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1889-11-30
THE FEAfHEREB VANDALs.

During the fifty years intervening
between 1881 and 1881 no fewer than
sixteen attempts were made in as many
different places to introduce the bird
to the States. Nor was sentiment the
only motive at work. 1t was vigor-
ously asserted that the sparrow was
faithful ally of the farmer and whole
sale devourer Of insects. For length
Of time the experiment proved an utter
failure; but in 1882 the Brooklyn In
stitute took the matter up, a committee
was formed and ever $40 subscribed
to induce the sparrows to emigrate.
Probably encouraged by such an
overflow of kindness, this time they
settled down in real earnest to the
work of colonization. AS soon as
few of them became accustomed to the
climate they built nests and spread
and multiplied over the face Of the
earth until, in the words of a recent
agricultural report, they in 1886 occu-
pied an area of $4,000 square miles
and were still increasing. From Name
to Kansas the sparrow holds the field.
II flutters round the home Of the cop
per miner in Arizona, and 1t is famil-
lar among the ranches of Mexico.
Ornithological history does not record
any other such swift multiplication as
that Of the sparrow between 1875 and
the present time.
One of the most curious things about
1t is that once II gets established in a
foreign land 1t adapts itself with won
derful rapidity alike to extremes Of
heat and cold. And II Is one of those
birds which are not easily flurriod by
an accident. Ii will go to sleep In an
empty railway carriage, to be trans
ported hundreds of miles without Wis
ible discomposure Unlike birds which
have well marked haunts the sparrow
makes no attempt at housing. n set
ties quietly where the train stops and
establishes a colony there. To this
habit New Brunswick owes Its present
wealth Of sparrows.
The development Of such an abnor-
NAL aptitude for reproduction has had
the effect of entirely changing the atti-
tude of the public toward the sparrow.
Whereas, few years ago, 1t was
cheaper to import the bird from Eng.
land than to buy II in New York, re-
ward is paid for their destruction
For 1t has been proved beyond ques.
tion that, far from being friend ol
tho farmer tho sparrow is his bitter
enemy. Indeed, there is no longer any
doubt Of that, even at home, where
farmers and gardeners complain Of au
increase almost as noteworthy as that
In America.
The farmers of the north Of England
have combined TO pay the destroyers
of their eggs, and the necessity for 3
similar organization In the Midland'
has been mooted. Where they are II
large numbers there Is scarcely any
limit to tho mischief they are oapabl,
Of doing, and men who are not prone
to exaggerate declare that on the head
lands, which are iu proximity to sucl
cover as thick hedge, the crop Is fire.
! quently reduced to the extent of 81
per cent. Their breeding season 4
over just before the corn begins /,
grow yellow, and brood Joins to brood
till the crop is Vulnerable by thousands
II Is not In the fields alone, however
that tho sparrows are mischievous
The gardener has even more reasol
than the farmer to desire, If not thei
: determination, at all events diminu
ton of their number. During carl,
spring they seem to have a special lik
ing for the tender young vegetables
and pull them up Immediately the
thrust their first shoots through Tn
mold-peas, lettuces, cabbage plant
and beets being especial favoritel
They also play havoc with the frul
trees and delight to nip the buds O
gooseberry bushes, peach and pea
trees. Indeed, they arc naturally s
0 restless that If they have nothing els
: to do, and are not hungry, flock wi
, destroy fruit or vegetables apparent
for mere amusement.
In California they are charged wit
i an oflense even more dire. They d
so much harm to the vines In the graz
growing districts that we are tol,
sunless steps are taken to wipe out Ii
pest at the earliest possible momen
n the result probably will entail loss
: the State of many thousands IL NJ
: millions of dollars"
n Nor can Il be said that the cal
against the sparrow rests on indefni
n evidence or careless observation. Son
q time ago Professor Riley examine
A the crops of 522 birds sent to Il
! American Department of Agricultur
I and. as consequence, found nothil
|, whatever to say for them. In on
q forty-seven did he find noxious insect
r. while useful insects were found In
3 and harmless insects in 81, but 327 hs
n been dining off oats, II on maise, 81 ,
O. fruit, aud 219 had "undetermined We
4 etable natter In their stomachs.
l. The case against the sparrow
II America seems to be, therefore, that
# exacts maximum of wages for mi
3 imum of useful work. Not only |
a but It attacks the nests Of the swallo
n and Is blamed for the diminution
4 this beautiful and unquestionabiy !
! sectivorous bird in the United Stat
n London Graphic.