OUR FIRST SPARROWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3886, 20 December 1928, Page 3

OUR FIRST SPARROWS.

The following, paragraph, which appeared in the Christchurch “Star” on sth December, 1868 —60 years ago —was republished by that paper last Wednesday: “A strong difference of opinion exists both here and in Australia about the expediency of introducing house sparrows into the colonies. Those who oppose their introduction say that they are little better than shameless robbers. The friends of the sparrows admit that they are fond of fruit aiid grain, but that they do much good work in the destruction of insects. We believe that this is true and that they are useful in this way. Unfortunately for 1 the cause of the sparrows their depredations in the or,chard are much more obvious than their good works in the other direction. One cherry tree stripped of all its fruit is apt to be taken as more conclusive evidence than the destruction of 10,000 unseen caterpillars. “Our attention has recently been called to a damning proof against the sparrow. A colony of these birds has taken up its abode in Dr. Nedwell’s garden, where, strange to say, they are building their nests in the trees —a somewhat rare proceeding for house sparrows. An early cherry tree has attracted their attention, and not a single fruit has escaped. If the sparrows continue their work at the same rate there, is no chance whatever for the cherries. In a year or two the birds will he all over the country. It would he well, perhaps, for the Acclimatisation Society to decide at once whether they are to be permitted to increase. By timely precaution they may he destroyed, hut a year hence this would he well nigh impossible.”