New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-07-27

| The evidence against the Eng
| lish sparrow is, on the whole,
overwhelming, and the present
rpnfriendly attitude OF the public
toward it is reflected in our state
laws, Nowhere is it included
among protected birds.
One of the greatest objections TO
the English sparrow is its aggres'
J sive antagonisn toward the small
native birds. especially those ia
miliar species which. like itself,
build their nests in cavities. Next
boxes provided for bluebirds, mar
tins or wrens-birds both useful
and pleasing-too often fall into
the possession of this graceless
alien. either by the right of dis
coverv or by piratical assault.
Fortunately. il is possible to aid
the native birds by selecting suit
able nest boxes. Thus. a box
having an entrance ] in. in diam
eter will admit house wrens. but
not sparrows. Boxes for larger
birds may be constructed SO that
any unwelcome tenants can he
re, Nlv evidted. When n spar.
row has had its nest and eggs re
moved from u box. 1t not only rs
a rule seeks another place for its
next nest. but is likely to avoid
that type of nest box in future
Sparrows become a nuisance IN
cities by roosting in Ornamental
vines and in crevices about build
ings. IF scared out late at night.
several nights in succession. they
will desert the roost. A stream
of water from garden hose is a
potent means Of eviction. Where
water Is not available, small Rom
an candles may be successfully
employed.
Though sparrows may be driv-
en- from given neighborhood. the
nuisance IL merely transferred
elsewhere. Here is where Uncle
Sam prescribes more drastic meas.
ures. He says the most effective
method Of preventing the increase
Of sparrows il to destroy their
nests ut intervals Of 10 or IL days
throughout the breeding season.
Occasionally they build large COW
cred nest in trees. but as a rule
they build open nests in dirt
houses, electric-light hoods. cor
nices. waterspouts. and similar
places.
The sparrow q habit Of nesting
in cavities can be turned to ac-
count against It, BY providing
one-room bird houses or even
packing boxes or tin cans, and
putting them in trees or on pole
or buildings at height Of az
least 10 IT,. the birds may he eas
ilv captured after dark with 4
handled net Another meth
cd suggested by the government
experts for the destruction of this
pest is shooting them with No.
10 shot. when they are feeding In
large Aocks. VI
In localities where the use Of
firearms anil poison Is restricted
the most effective means Of ex-
termination In a given territory Il .
the nest-heuse trap, the funnel ,
shaped wire. netting trap. and the
sieve. OF these dev'cs the nest
house tray Il particularly success
Pul II comprises an ordinary
bird house. with al light tipping
chamber or floor. down spout,
md n brshel bag TO hold the cap
ives This continuance Is known
~ the Tesch nest-box trap and Is
widely used In large cities.
Where extraordinary trapping
3 undertaken by city authorities. i
he funnel wire-netting trap Ii n
ised in places where sparrows are 6
to assemble in large f
Live sparrows are a
laced within the device to facil- e
tate catch. the trap being bait =
d on the floor OF the first inner &
'hambeN with seeds and small
rain. Popular Mechanics. t