Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-06-14
WHAT SPARRoWS EAT.
Feed and observation-disclosures Until
They Leave Nests.


They Leave Nests.
Experiments recently conducted in
the department of biology of the Uni
versity of Pittsburg demonstrated to
what extent the English sparrow is
threatening the agricultural interests
of the country. The experiments were
conducted by Miss Laura Holland Pain
ter, under the direction of Prof. ]. c..
Fetterman. They have for basis the
examination of the crop contents of a
total of 155 adult and nesting SPAR
rows collected from various places, the
period of collection extending over a
number of months.
1t was in 1850 that eight pairs of
English sparrows were liberated in the
parks of Brooklyn in the belief that
they would destroy certain insect pests
that were running the shade trees of
Brooklyn and other cities. Other i'm
portations were made, the largest in
1859, when 1000 pairs were liberated at
Philadelphia. Lovers of trees and birds
soon realized that serious mistake
had been made for it was seen that the
sparrow did not appreciably destroy
insects. as it was observed to feed
principally upon grain. The ornitholo-
gists of the country soon realized that
on account of the combativeness of the
sparrow and it's wonderful ability to
Il ion of
life beneficial native species were
crowded out.
In the report reference is made to
the fact that the English sparrow is
our most prolific bird. One pair under
ideal conditions would in a few years
produce a progeny consisting of mil
lions of individuals. That it is found
from Siberia to the torrid zone Illus
trates it's wonderful power of adapta-
bilty. The contents of the crops of
ia adult sparrows showed that they
feed almost entirely on seeds and
grain, not one insect being found. For
ty per cent of the crops contained
wheat. Ten per cent contained buds
of fruit trees. This fact alone is suffi-
cient evidence to condemn the sparrow.
The study of the feeding habits of
the nesting sparrows develops an en-
tirely different set of facts. The crops
of the 81 nestlings studied revealed in
the majority of cases the presence of
insects. The nestlngs in question
were of different ages, showing that
they are insectivOrOus until they leave
the nest. when they Immediately begin
to feed upon grain. This fact of the
insectivorous nature of the nesting
sparrow is pointed out as constituting
the only redeeming feature of the spar
row, but does not offset the loss which
the adult causes the farmer in the de-
struction of his crops. The field study
of these species shows that il is rap
idly bringing about a great reduction
in the number of native birds of this
state. Among those affected are some
of our most valuable birds. such as the
bluebird, swallow, robin, etc.
Some birds are found to be particu-
larly obnoxious i'm certain states, while
in others the same species may Justly
he considered beneficial. This. accord
ing to the results of the investigation
does not apply to the English sparrow
which is decidedly obnoxious wherever
found. The suppression or cXtermina
tion of the sparrow is. therefore, an in
terstatc problem and should b" dealt
with at once 10y the various state leg
misunderstanding GaZctte-TimcS.