The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-05-16
The English Sparrow.

From bulletin issued by the Agriculture
al College on the English sparrow, we take
the following concerning the destruction of
these little pests. The bulletin, written by
G. b. Cook, is an exceedingly valuable doc
ument, a copy of which should be i'm the
hands of every person in Shawassee county:
There are number of ways to destroy
the sparrow. Trapping by means of bird
net is practiced by experts, but the sparrow,
considering their numbers, are the most diff
ficult of all birds to catch. The gun is a
more ready weapon. In city limits where
the sparrOws are the thickest this cannot be
used except by persons having authority to
make this their special business. Probably
the most successful method is to use poison.
Wheat soaked in a solution of strychnine,
in portion of one dram to quart of water
is one of the NEST efficient poisons. How
ever experience shows that this compound
is too rapid in its results, as some of the
birds begin to be affected before all present
have taken fatal dose and when once
scared away by the dying agony of poisoned
birds, the others never return. Arsenic
mixed with corn or Oat meal in the proper
ton of one part of arsenic to ten or fifteen
parts of NEAL by weight makes a less ex-
pensve poison and is more slow i'm action,
thus giving all birds ample time to get away
from the feed before they become affected.
In order to obtain the best results the birds
should be fed for few days at first, pure
grain of the same kind that is to he poison
ed. Great care must be taken not to let
poisoned grain get in the way of children,
domesticated animals, or native birds. This
is not difficult If it is carefully watched dur
ing time of exposure. One of the best
means of keeping the sparrows i'm check is
by destroying their nests. This may be
done by everyone wherever the birds build,
and If carried on in systematic way will
help much to keep the English sparrows
within bounds.
Seven states legislate against the English
sparrow. OF these, four simply except it
from the protection afforded other birds |
New York makes it q misdemeanor to har-
Dor or protect them; while Michigan pays
bounty Of three cents for each sparrow's
head. Over twenty of the remaining states
give the English sparrow the same protec- |
ton that Is offered to other birds. The re-
naming states have no laws on the subject |
The first thing that should be done to
check the sparrow's increase, is the repeal
of all laws offering them protection. Doubt |
less many who would turn their hands |
against the sparrow, are prevented from
doing so by bird laws. AS recommended |
ny MI. DdTTOWS, III ludy De DtSI tndU one |
able man should be employed in every town |
and city to superintend systematic war
fare against the English sparrows. No mat |
ter how much farmers and gardeners desire |
to destroy these birds, it will be of compare
lively little avail so long as the sparrows are |
permitted to stay in their great breeding |
hauntS-the citieS-unmOlested. The |
alarming rate at which the sparrows have
increased during the past few years, shows
only too clearly that some action is neces-
sary. No doubt bounty helps to lessen
their numbers; but 1t is question If this is |
the best way to exterminate the English |
sparrow. This method has been employed |
in Michigan since 1887, and has been found |
an expensive method of lessening their
number. The greatest objection-that other |
species of birds are killed by careless per-
sons for English sparrows would apply as
well to any other means of destruction. |
The scheme for offering liberal prizes for
the greatest number of birds killed in any
given territory is worth considering. If the
prizes are sufficiently large many persons
will compete, and great destruction to the
sparrow would result. Whatever means
are employed it is of the greatest importance
that all states and territories infested, be
united in their efforts, and all employ some
good means of eradication. One or two
states alone can accomplish but little, as the
sparrows are spreading so rapidly that the
birds would migrate from other states near
by as fast as those within the state limits
were destroyed.
No one should receive sparrows on
bounty or prize that has not thoroughly
studied the bird Far too many of the town
clerks In Michigan do not know the English
sparrow's head from that of a linnet or
thrush. AS a result a great many birds
that have been sent in for bounty, are our
most beneficial birds. Thus many heads
have been sent to this station on which
bounty was claimed, of such valuable birds
as the song sparrow, red poled linnet and
evening grosbeak; birds that our laws pro-
tect by fine of $500 against their slaugh
ter. We have a good law against destroy
ing native birds, and every person present
ing such a bird to the town clerks Office
should pay the penalty which is q fine of
$500. During the past few months num-
Der of letters have been received at the sta