Evening star., 1936-01-09
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

A correspondent calls our attention to
the difference between the robin Of this
country and the English robin.
As a result, we are wondering II the
English variety might not be good bird
to introduce into America to make up Tor
the English sparrow and starting, both
originally brought to this country from
across the sea.
The sparrows and starlings have about
taken the country, finding conditions
much to their liking here, without the
various natural controls" which func-
toned in their native land to keep their
numbers down to seemly proportions.
The English robin must be an engaging
little fellow, indeed, II one may Judge
from the colored card sent. The picture
in words, as drawn by the writer, is good:
Your articles in The Star have given me
much pleasure, and in return I thought
you might be interested in the incloSed
part of an English Christmas card with
a good likeness Of the English robin.
Until I spent some time with English
friends I had not realized how totally
different their robin is from ours. He is
an adorable little bird, smaller than q
ophi4OW, Wltil bAABilts bldth CyC dIAd q
most lovely song, which continues all
Winter, as he never migrates.
"His breast is bright crimson and he
loves human beings-it is impossible to
take tea in an English garden without
his appearing, quite unafraid, hopping
about and asking for crumbs. I think
some Of the verses you quote tonight refer
to this variety rather than ours.
II wish we had him, for his bright
coloring and beautiful singing must be a
great asset to the English Winter, as they
are pleasure even in Summer"
careful investigation would have to
be made by skilled ornithologists, how
ever, in order to prevent repetition OF
the mistake made in bringing the Eng
lish sparrows and starlings to this coun-
try.
These birds were brought here orig
inally in very small numbers and only q
comparatively short time ago. as the CEN
turies roll, in order to help keep down
certain insect enemies.
But in bringing them, their advocates
left entirely out of consideration the nat
ural conditions which abroad kept theiI
numbers down. Owls and other larger
birds in England tended to kill of large
numbers yearly, so that over long
period of time their numbers kept more
or less stationary.
Brought to America by bird enthusiasts
who failed to consider the lack of con-
trolls in this country, the English spar
rows and starlings are growing by leaps
and bounds every year.
Much still can be said for them as
eaters of pests and insects inimical to
various crops and trees of the United
States. Even the startling, against which
so much has been written. especially ir
our cities, has been found to be a real
help in these matters.
AS for the sparrow, it is little fellow
which makes its way without causing too
| much disturbance in a civic way, hence
the outcry against it has more or less
ceased
While it is supposed to be very bellig-
erent toward other birds, in the main II
seems to mind its own business pretty
well and surely does not do much harm
to any one or thing.
Birds in our Winter gardens are oi
great interest to many people, who spend
comparatively large sums to feed them
No one who has not had the experience
can realize lust how much grain and