Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-10-20
THAT ENGLISH SPARROW CRUSADE.

VXTE have in Delaware bird pest that is more per-
w sstent and aggravatng than is the English spar
row Through its warfare upon native birds and its
destruction Of growing crops it has become an orni-
biological Ishmae that should be wiped out.
It is encouraging to note that the League OF Ameri-
can sporsmen has a plan with that end in view 1t
urges nationwide campaign to save songbirds.
part of that plan to enlist all Governors and Mayors
in support Of the movement.
The League organized for the preservation OF
wild life and the determination of pests which prey
upon beneficial birds and animals. Its officers assert
that the English sparrow which is of those pests,
has made such Roadway here that is driving out the
smaller song and insectyorous birds and that it has
become a question of whether shall have only the
English sparrow to represent bird life destroy
it and regain fifty species Of useful and beautiful
birds that used to inhabh cities farms and country
side all the land.
The league intends to ask the Governor of each State
to issue proclamation declaring the English
sparrow and setting aside a week, possibly in April
or May Of next year, to be devoted especially to
destroying nests of this pernicious pest Printed in
strucons to the plan of the campaign will be sent
the Mayors of all incorporated cities and villages,
to the Of the systems in every county to
college presidents to principals Of preparatory schools
to the heads Of the Boy Scouts in each State and to
other organizations which might be expected to ex-
tend sympathy and aid.
-Four principal methods OF action will be employed:
Tearing down the nests, trapping the birds, shooting
them under the police supervision and under licenses
issued by the police authorities and, in cities where
water pressure is available, turning the hose the
birds at night after they have gone to roost
The president of the league, Col G. O Shields, Of No
ITO Simpson street New York says he would like to
hear from persons interested in the matter, both
those who favor the plan and those opposed. g.
He makes the statement that in the Of the hun
dreds of thousands Of bird boxes placed in this coun
try the last ten years fully rs per cent have been
appropriated by English sparrows. In cases where
bluebirds. wrens or other birds that desired by
those who put up the boxes have taken possession OF
boxes. the sparrows have driven them out. thrown
their eggs young to the ground, and taken posses
sion themselves.
Il have Travelled nearly 1000 miles this Summer"
SAYS Col Shields have visited more than fifty towns
in the Middle West and in the East have walked more
than 100 miles, and though always look carefully for
birds, have not single bluebrd this season The
bluebrd is perhaps the most modest and most inof
fcnsive Of all native songsters, and so it has re-
tired more generally before the onslaughts of the Brit
ish intruder than any other of native birds,
though all have been driven out to a greater less
extent.
81 recently sent out thirty letters, inclosing self
addressed post cards asking my correspondents wheth-
err they have any buebirds and. if So how many.
The have all been returned and only six. of the
people have single bluebrd. Some of them re-
port about the usual number but the experience and
observation OF the others agree with my own These
twenty-four persons say they have not single
buebird.
There are several important precedents for our
proposed action against the sparrows. San Diego,
CAL started a war Of determination against them a
year ago Il has been vigorously conducted, about
the same lines propose and as result most Of
the sparrows in that city have been killed and the
others driven out The California State University has
cleaned campus Of them. and Meriden Conn, has
cleared most of them out The California State Game
and Fish Commission has naugurated Statewide
war against the intruders.
"If city the size of San Diego kill the spar
rows and drive them out, every town and city in the
land can do it, and believe that at least 80 per cent
Of the people in this country will approve war Of ex-
termination against this condemned nuisance and that
they will join heartily in II. But we must know first
whether we are going to offend any considerable num-
Der OF good people by such a crusade, before be-
gin it,"
As Delaware has its full share OF English sparrows
It should do its full share Of the work of exermina.
ton.