THE SPARROW NUISANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1965, 9 October 1888, Page 2

THE SPARROW NUISANCE

It Ib astonishing that where iparrowa moat abound certain lnseota inimical to the gardener are also moat numerous, and appear to eoioy parfeot Immunity from the attacks of feathered enemies. Laslandras, says the "Australasian," afford examples of this : the little caterpillars which spin their webs m the points of the shoots are becoming more numerous av«ry season ; at present there is scarcely a sound shoot on many large specimens of this beautiful autumnal-blooming ahrub. The leaves of camellias also are fixed together In like manner, but by a different caterpillar, quite a small inseot. Other caterpillars affect the larger heaths, and from these plants also depend a apecles of tree oadd/s. Little caterpillars also bore through the buds of roses ; Indeed, there it no limit to the number and variety of Insects whJoh prey upon vegetation, and which Increase and multiply undisturbed whenever sparrows, have taken possession of a garden or a neighborhood. Those who have occupied! these gardens from before the advent of sparrows, and who have also been fairly observant, can hardly fail to have noticed ohanges of quite a different kind. They miss the natlvt birds of those days, and certiii Insects have vanished, or nearly bo. The pretty ladybirds, or cocolnellas, the rose-grower's beat frlenda— they who kept his plants free from aphides, and who also performed similar service on peach and ! I cherry trees, cabbages, aud other forms of | vegetation — have become extreme rarities. The greedy sparrows have eaten them, and they have done the same with the larvss of the dragon-flies (those can* sumers of mosquitoes) and otnee lnseots th»t are specially injurious to the gardener. Except the ladybi'd, few or none of the oarnlvorous insects frequentIng the ground and plants are of prepossessing appearance. The larv«e of the ladybird Is not an enticing object, and doubtless is often wantonly destroyed by people Ignorant of its Invaluable services to man. The chance appearance of a ladybird at long Intervals may be aooepted at an assurance, that If relieved from their enemifa, the sparrows, the oocolnellas would at no distant time again become a power for good, more especially if along with the destruction of the sparrow care were taken to diffuse Amongst children a knowledge of the qualities and properties of the various lneaots, more especially ok those that are the prinoipsl agents m the work of destroying aphides and soale insects. Country schools could not have their utility augmented m a more praoti* •ally useful manner than la aiding the diffusion of the Information suggested m the foregoing »<>*••,—(" &£< BeriW, V)