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Show The Standard's U. L C Bureau I J Articles of Interest to Farmers, Housekeepers and Others Written for The Standard by Experts at Utah's Noted Agricultural College at Logan j FIGHTING ENGLISH SPARROWS By C. J. Sorenscn Instructor in Zoology, U. A. C. It is very probable that the English sparrow will never be completely exterminated. ex-terminated. That he may be held in check and prevented from inflicting enormous losses on the farmer, a constant con-stant fight ought to be carried on against him at all seasons of the year. The best season in which to fight English sparrow is unquestionably the winter season At this lime food is scarce; the bodily demands of the bird compel him to feed wherever food may be found. Foods are usually accepted, which at other season would be rejected. re-jected. Some practical methods for fighting sparrows are destroying nests and eggs, shooting, trapping and poisoning. Nests should bo systematically destroyed de-stroyed during the, nesting season which extends throughout the spring and summer seasons. Several broods of young arc reared by each pair of English sparrows in a single season. Nest destruction should not be left, however to boys nor to grown ups who do not Know me nests, eggs uuu juuus of English sparrows from those of our native species of birds. The trap method of exterminating sparrows is very effective and is to be recommended probably above all others oth-ers particularly where there are laws prohibiting the use of poisoned baits or where for any other reason it is un- , desirable to use poisons. Several types of sparrow traps have been de vised. Tho best one of theso is probably prob-ably a funnel trap made of 3-1 inch mesh poultry wire. This trap is sim pie in construction, cheap, and may be made from a piece of wire netting 1 feet wide and G feet long. Plans and diagrams for making tho trap may be obtained from the United States department de-partment of agriculture, Farmers Bulletin Bul-letin -103. It has been used with success suc-cess in many parts o the country even In extensive extermination campaigns against the English sparrow. The traps may be used wherever the birds aro accustomed to feed and may be baited with wheat or other small grains or seeds. Captured birds should be removed at frequent Intervals because be-cause their comrades may become suspicious. sus-picious. One of the birds may be left in the trap to serve as a decoy If the birds become suspicious of the trap it may be moved to a new feeding place for the birds become suspicious of the place rather than of the trap. Poisoned baits may be used with disastrous effects upon tho English sparrow. Obviously the greatest care is o be exercised In the use of poisons. pois-ons. Poisoned wheat Is tho best bait for English, sparrows. It may be prepared as follows: Dissolve i ounce of pulverised pul-verised strychnine in 3 gill of hot water, add li tcaspoonfulls of starch or wheat flour moistened with a few drops of water,' and heat, stirring constantly con-stantly until the mixture thickens. I Pour the hot poisoned starch over one quart of wheat and stir until all the kernels are coated. Spread out' to dry before uslns. L Any quantity may be prepared by mixing the various ingredients in the same proportions as given in the formula. for-mula. The bait is to bo used after the birds have become accustomed to feeding In a particular place and should be sprung upon them as a surprise in stead of the regular feed. Put out about twenty kernels of bait for each bird. Three-or four kernels may be sufficient to kill the bird, but there should be enough of the bait present so that the whole flock may have opportunity op-portunity to get a killing dose. Gather up dead birds and kill sick ones at frequent Intervals to prevent other birds from becoming over-suspicious or "wise" as- is their nature to do. After a single treatment with poison feed the birds until their confidence is re-established, then .spring the poisoned pois-oned bait upon them again. Careful, systematic poisoning carried car-ried on for a few weeks will almost rid a community or a district of this un- s JL desireablo alien bird. |