The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-19
The Proposition to Introduce the Guatama-
Ian Ant to Fight the Boil Weevil Re-
calls. Some Experiences.
English Sparrow, Flying Fox, Mongoose,
Rabbits, Examples of Things That Quick
ly Wore Out Their Welcome.
THE MoNGoosE OF INDIA.

THE sober second thought that ex-
tends its benehcent influence over
so broad a fieId-when it is given
an opportunity-is said TO work even ex-
ceptionally well when it is applied to the
Introduction into one country from
another of animals Of the latter. The
usual reason for such introduction is
the destruction of some pest: the usual
result is the acquisition Of another pest
much more troublesome and expensive.
In such fields warnings have not fire.
quently been of much avail. and IT has
required very specific laws and very
definite enforcement to keep farmers
and herdsmen from jumping violently
out Of the frying-pan into the fire. Even
laws have not always sufficed. for, how
ever II was with the melancholy Dane.
ordinary human nature is much addicted
to the practice OF flying 70 ills It knows
not Of. rather than bearing those 1t
chances TO have.
The gentlemen who are kind enough
TO do the thinking for the race have
issued warnings 10 this general effect
In the recent past. apropos OF the
suggestion made that Guatemalan ants
be brought 10 this country for the p,Ir-
pose OF putting an end TO the operations
Of the boil weeviL With some hun
dreds of thousands Of English sparrows
chirping a merry song just outside their
Office windows. or waking them at I'M
seemly hours In the morning by ami
mated discussions as 20 the ownership
Of the early worm. It is not hard for
the gentlemen kind enough to think for
the race 20 think and warn on this par
ticular subject. Horrible examples have
always been proved the very founts of
thought and the omnipresent sparrow
furnishes one. However, there are
others
Don't Think Far Ahead.
THE trouble with those persons who
want to introduce new animals into
their neighborhoods is that they do not
think FAR enough ahead" said DR.. A
X Fisher, Of the Government Biological
Survey. They realize quite perfectly
that they are troubled in mind and in
jured in pocket by some bird or beast
or insect that IS common in the section
in which they 1--we, and they have heard
that in a far country resides another
bird OF beast or insect that takes a
special delight in destroying the first.
Then they begin their cIamor for the
panacea-
But the panacea fails to work. In
countries OF which animals are natives
there exists a balance OF nature
through which. by the operation OF the
natural aDpetites OF the animals. each
species is kept IN a kind Of subsection.
That Is. II does not multiply TO such an
extent as 20 threaten the existence OF
other creatures. But in a new country
the animal has no natural enemies. and
as a consequence II increases TO an
alarming and widely destructive extent;
destroys its natural prey first and
then turns its attentions 10 anything
else that VIII serve to satisfy an ON
nivorous appetite"
The English sparrow is a familiar
ana glarins Illustration OF this truth.
lhe damage which IL does in destroying
iruit and grain, IN dishguring buildings
IN cities and towns, and in driving away
other birds, makes II one Of the worst
OF feathered pests The rapidly with
which 1t increases in a new locality is
scarcely more remarkable than the per-
sistency and care which have been dig