The English Sparrow

As the English sparrow is becoming abundant íibout Ann Arbor a few statements concerning its habita may be oi interest Last September B. II. Warren, of West Chester, Pa. , read a report on the examinatiou of tlie stomachs of 75 of these birda. In only threo cases was any insectivorous f'ood disoovercd, and then only in small amounta. Since that time Mr. Warren has oxaniined the stoinachs of a largo number of these birds. His exauiinations made at all seasons of the year, prove that the English sparrow is of little or do valuo as a destróyer of insect pests. On examining two of theso birds taken in the suburbs of Ann Arbor, July 6th, 28 kernela of wheat were found iu the stomach of' odo and 10 in the other. No inaectivoroua food was found in either. What is eateu in many cases is only a fraotion of what is destroyed, as many kernels of the whoat will be shaken from the bead by the bird while feeding. It is aaid to fecd upon corn, teariug open the ear while t is still green, thua causing some destruction. I belicve it is only about seven years sinco the introduction of these birds into West Chestcr. Now they are ezcoedingly abundant. They fill the stroets contiimally iii large flocks to the exclusión of our nativo birds. It has been stated by observers that the song birds which iormerly wore frequent visitors to tlio shado trees of West Uhester are now less numerou.s and their scaruity is attributed to the abuudance of the English sparrow. They are alao extwcdingly quurrelsoine and seeni to regard all other birds a.s iotruders. Their mode of warfare is of the most cowardly kind. I have seen them attack and kill a song .Mparrow. They feil upon the poor bird in suoh numbers as to reudcr its escape or resistance impossible. Many others have witnessed similar sights. It is firmly believed by many competent observers that as thü English sparrow increases in numbers our i nuectivorous birds disappear from our towns and villages. In three or tour years the number of these birds will have inercased to such an extent sa to ruake it au easy matter for any onc to decide whether they are beneficial or injurious They have already proven themsolves not only of no valuo ia other localitics but a positive injury by driving away other birds. Let U8 proiit by the experience of others and at least cease to offer protootion to the little foreigners and by so doing protect our native song birds which are dostined to dccreasc bef'ore ita advance.