Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-03-03
MRS. N. {. PECK
SPEAKS IN DEFENSE OE
ENGLISH SPARROW

The following article was written by
Mrs NJ. +. Peck in defense of the
English sparrow. The sparrow has
been much dispised bird, bat Mrs.
Peck sets forth numerous reasons for
its protection:
Editor of Belding Banner,
Dear Sir:-May | occupy little
space in your paper in defense OF the
English sparrow.
This bird was brought 10 Brooklyn,
New York in 1851 TO destroy loath-
some worms which were swarming in
the trees and running them. He did
his work well and not only that, but
much more He destroys an ant
which makes sad havoc on the lawns
and also eats the seeds Of yine-like
weed which is most difficult TO remove
from the grass. Being "A city bird he
acts as a scavenger in the streets. He
annihilates numberless insects and
worms which abound in the parks and
other places. The sparrow is how
ever, greatly needed in the country
He remains all winter and lives largely
on weed seed, which, but for him.
would bring forth noXioGs harvest
BY road-sides and in uncultSyated fields
are often found rank growths of weeds
which go TO seed. Here the sparrow
revels in the winter, eating at least a
quarter of an ounce of seed daily. IL
he also helps himself too freely TO the
farmers grain. he may be forgiven for
however much he may take, the man
who owns the grain is still indebted TO
his bird friend, In the spring before
the other birds arrive the English
sparrow eats moths and eggs which
if allowed 10 develop would menace
the trees and crops. The sparrow eats
legions of army worms which travel
in multitudes sr5fn field 70 field dev
astating grain, gardens and 50 forth.
1t is said that the English sparrow
drives away other birds. This is con-
tradicted by many authorities. The
wren blue jay and others are more
militant in disposition than is the spar
row The birds which have been
sacrificed for women's hats have had
more TO do with the decrease OF song
birds than any vicious activities on the
part OF our English bird neighbor
The United States biological survey
has proved that the charges brought
against this much maligned bird are
without grounds.
hciaIy decided that instead Of eXter-
minating the English sparrow that
means should be employed To protect
il and To increase it's numbers
Fifteen years ago Mr.. Quincy then
mayor of Boston, issued an order that
the English sparrows, their eggs and
nests should be destroyed and the
work began. But the people
N..EHN
Bird houses at once appeared in Back
Bay and other residential portions OF
the city. Petitions poured in, signed
by some of the heaviest taxpayers OF
Boston Letters of condemnation
came from all over the country. The
mayor was interviewed on
street cars. in Office and home. He
finally gave way under the pressure
and was i'll in bed 1t was then that
Mayor Quincy recalled his order and
the remaining sparrows were saved.
The law OF Michigan which places
a bounty on the sparrow's head should
be repealed. The women's clubs and
bird lovers throughout the state are
working to this end Boys with their
guns and men with pellets OF poison.
are taking the lives Of not only our
sparrows but OF our singing birds and
the law should make ii Il misdemeanor
to harm these creatures so necessary
to mans very existence on earth. If
there were no other argument against
this law as it stands the pernicious
effect on the morals Of the boy who
is permitted 10 Kill birds should appeal
to every one. our boys should be
taught that it is finer and nobler to
construct rather than TO destroy. That
il is more interesting as well as more
TO hunt birds with a field I
glass and kodak than with gun.
And may our law makers at this 4
session Of the legislature repeal a law
which should never have been placed !,
On our statute books.
Very sincerely,
Mrs. NJ y. Peck