DYING OUT
BIRDS OF SHETLAND A mysterious mortality among sparrows in parts of the north of Scotland is being investigated by experts. In one place—Fair Isle—nearly 800 have disappeared. Admiral Stenhouse has recently shown that this small islet, between the Orkney and Shetland Island, has had its sparrow population reduced to only four pairs this season. Reports from other observers show that the rapid disappearance of the the house sparrow is also becoming apparent on parts of the mainland of Shetland. It is still unknown why they are dying out. The experts have not yet obtained a specimen for pathological examination. The symptoms are said to be a “swollen head and bulging eyes," but the Ministry of Agriculture is so far unable to say whether this new disease specific to the sparrow. “If this epidemic was proved to affect house sparrows only," said an official of the Ministry recently, “then its isolation and diagnosis would have important economical effects. The house sparrow is regarded as one of the farmer’s pests, and its control is of much importance to agriculture."’
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Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 577, 1 February 1929, Page 13
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179DYING OUT Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 577, 1 February 1929, Page 13
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