Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1912 — Page 2

■■■■■ HE English sparrow among birds » H | is comparable to the rat among B mammals. It is canning, destrucB tive, and filthy. This sparrow w’as introduced into America S I about 60 years ago, and is now distributed generally oVet the eastern half of the United States southern Canada and locally westward to the Pacific coast. This rapid increase is a result of the bird’s hardiness, extraordinary fecundity, diverslty of food, aggressive disposition, and almost complete immunity from natural enemies through its sagacity and its preference for thickly settled communities. Its natural diet consists of seeds, but it eats a great variety of other foods. While much of Its annual fare consists of waste. material from the streets, in autumn and winter it consumes quantities of weed seed, and in summer numerous insects. Aside from the destruction of weed seed, there is very little to be said in the sparrow’s favor. ~ It destroys small fruits, as cherries, grapes, pears and peaches. It also destroys buds and flowers of cultivated trees, shrubs, and vines. In the garden it eats seeds as they ripen, and nips off tender young vegetables as they appear above ground, peas and lettuce being .especially subject to attapk. It damages wheat and other grains when newly sowed, ripening, and In shocks. It reduces the numbers of some of our most useful native species, such £8 bluebirds, house wrens, purple martins, tree swallows, cliff swallows, and barn swallows, by destroying the eggs and young and by usurping the nesting places. It attacks other familiar native birds, as the robin, wren, rey-eyed vireo, catbird and mocking bird, causing them to desert parks and shady streets of towns. Unlike our native birds whose places it usurps, It has no song, but is noisy and vituperative. It defiles buildings and ornamental trees, •hrubs, and vines with its excrement and with

Its bulky nests. The evidence against the English sparrow •is overwhelming, and the present unfriendly attitude of the public toward it is reflected in our state laws. Nowhere is it included among the birds that are protected. In response to frequent inquiries for means of abating the sparrow nuisance received by the United States Biological Survey, a few approved methods applicable to different conditions are here described. Sparrows frequently give annoyance by roosting in ornamental vines and in crevices about buildings. If driven out late at night, several nights in succession, they will usually desert the roost. A jet of water from a garden hose is a potent disturber, particularly on frosty nights. Where water is not available, small Roman candles may be employed. Though sparrows may be driven from a given neighborhood, the relief thus obtained is only temporary, and has the further objection that the nuisance is simply transferred elsewhere. More drastic action is therefore preferable. The most effective method of preventing the increase of sparrows in a locality is to destroy their nests at intervals of ten or twelve days throughout the breeding season. Occasionally they build large covered nests in trees, but as a rule they build open nesta In bird- ' houses, electrlc-Ilght hoods, cornices, waterspouts, and similar places. While It Is often difficult to reach nests with the hand, they can usually be torn down by means of a long pole having an iron hook at the tip. By a concerted and continued movement to destroy every nest after the eggs ate laid, English sparrows in any locality may be gradually reduced without resorting to shot or poison. The sparrow’s habit of nesting in cavities can be turned to account against it. By proadding one-room bird-houses, or even packing boxes or tin cans, and putting them in trees or on poles or buildings at a height of about ten feet, the birds may be captured after dark with the aid of a long-handled net. This net should have a deep bag and a small hoop made to fit the front of the boxes closely. After the net has been quietly placed over the entrance, a few raps on the box will send the tenant into it. Dilapidated buildings may sometimes be fitted up for catching sparrows In this way, as well as for destroying their nests and eggs. The Illustration herewith shows how this can be done. An of'dlnary wooden box may be nailed to the of the building over a hole made to admit the sparrows. The box should be arranged so that the top or upper part of the back, can be lifted to gain access to the Inside. The box, also illustrated on this page, is designed to be hung on a building or a tree. Its floor should be about six Inches square and its height at the eaves about eight inches. The roof should be hinged at the top for removing the eggs or young. Such boxes may be built of rough boards at slight cost. By distributing a number of them about orchards, shade trees, and out-buildings, and catching the sparrows that occupy them, or by destroying eggs, the work of extermination may be carried on at a season when other methods ar« least effective. Preliminary to the following destructive measures, sparrows should be baited until they are attached to the spot selected for their execution. Seeds, grain, or waste from the table, if supplied regularly, will soon establish a feeding place. If a general campaign Is to be undertaken, enough such feeding places should be maintained to attract to them practically all the English sparrows in the neighborhood. This can easily be done in winter when food is scarce. After thus baiting the sparows they may be trapped, shot, or poisoned. Traps alone are inadequate to exterminate sparrows, bqt a reduction of numbers can ■tw effected by using a shallow box not less than four feet square, open on one side and covered with woven wire on the other. One side of this trap rests on ths ground, while the opposite side is supported by a stick 18 Inches long. Near the upper end of this stick tt attached a long eord,, and between the top

THE PEST Of THE ENGLISH SPARROWS

By N.DEARBORN

of it and the edge of the trap is placed a chip. By setting the trap over bait and pulling the cord from a sheltered point of observation when a flock of sparrows is beneath it, numbers of them may be caught. Instead of the box described above, by which the birds are taken alive an old door or some other similar device may be employed to advantage as a deadfall. In either case the trap should be kept set and baited until the sparrows are not afraid to go under it. The best time for trapping is just after a snowstorm, when the birds have been fasting. Then, if the ground be cleared and chaff and grain be put under the trap, the birds will crowd in and enable the trapper to secure nearly all of the local flock. If any escape they will spread the fear of traps, and before long very few of the birds can be induced to go into one. Sparrows are accustomed to feed in close flocks, and when thus assembled a large number can be killed by a charge of No. 10 shot. The best way is to scatter grain over long, narrow areas and shootjthe sparrows at these baiting places. Where sparrows infest poultry yards, the bait may- be placed on a horizontal. board, supported at such an elevation that the birds can be shot without danger to the poultry. Since English sparrows are a pest and a reduct ion of their numbers is important on economic grounds, there would seem to be no reason why the birds, when trapped or shot, should not be utilized for food in this country, as they have been in the Old World for centuries. Their flesh Is palatable and nutritious, and in city restaurants they are often served under the name of reed birds. Where the use of poison is not prohibited by law, it may be effectively used to reduce the number of sparrows. Of the different poisons tested, the most satisfactory is strychnia sulphate. It is easily prepared and acts quickly. Wheat has proved to be a good bait, as well as an excellent vehicle for administering the poison. The grain should be regularly supplied at the baiting stations until the birds have become accustomed to resort to the ]place. A good time to put it out is early morning, as the birds are sure to be hungry for breakfast The capacity of the sparrow’s

Freedom for Jews in Russia

At Times Their Condition Has Improved, but Not Steadily. - In connection with the celebration of the Passover the American Hebrew published accounts of the experiences of the race in securing a greater or less degree of emancipation in various countries. “Despite the reactionary measures against the Jews in Russia,” it says, “their status in that country has for the past 100 years from time to time been more or less Improved. During the reign of Alexander 1., from 1801-1825, the first steps toward emancipation of the Jews were taken by affording them educational opportunities. "Alexander I. directed the minister of education to draw a plan for promoting education among the Jews. When the said minister remarked that such a plan might prove a costly one to the government of Russia Alexander replied, ‘lf their means should produce one Mendelssohn the expense would be justified.’ “Nicholas I N known as the enemy of the Jews, nevertheless officially encouraged them to take up agriculture. Jewish farmers were, for a certain period, to be exempt from military service and taxation in land. Jews wishing to enter the field of agriculture in Russia were practically to enjoy equal rights. “During the early part of the reign of Alexander H., when the serfs were emancipated, it looked as if freedom would be granted to the Jews of Russia as well. Restrietlonary laws concerning the ‘Pale of Settlement* were not enforced and schools were practically opened to the Jews. Such was the uncertain

crop and stomach is about 30 kernels of wheat, varying according to size of the kernels. In deciding the amount of poisoned wheat to put out at one time, it is well to estimate the number of sparrows frequenting a feeding place and to allow about 20 kernels for each sparrow. Although two kernels of wheat coated with the solution described below have been known to kill a sparrow, six or seven kernels are required to insure fatal results. Only as much poison should be put out as is likely to be eaten in one day, as exposure to moisture reduces its virulence. Furthermore, sparrows that take less than a fatal quantity, or that become frightened by the death of comrades, wilt forsake a feeding place if poison is kept there constantly. It is better, therefore, to supply unpoisoned wheat after each poisoning until the birds have recovered confidence. An important advantage in having several feeding grounds is that they may be used in rotation, the sparrows forgetting their fear of one while the others in turn are receiving poison. A poison mixture that has proved very effective is* prepared as follows: Put oneeighth ounce of strychnia sulphate into threefourths of a gill of hot water and boll until dissolved. Moisten one and one-half teaspoonfuls of starch with a few drops of cold water, add it to the poison solution, and heat till the starch thickens. Pour the hot poisoned starch solution over one quart of wheat and stir until every kernel is coated. Small-kerneled wheat sold as poultry food, if reasonably clean, is preferable to first-quality grain, being cheaper and more easily eaten by the sparrows. A two-quart glass fruit jar Is a good vessel to mix in, as it is easily shaken and allows the condition of the contents to be sedn. If the coated wheat be spread thinly on a hard, flat surface, it will dry enough

status of the Jews for a period of about eighty years, ending in 1881 with the assassination of Alexander 11. “During the quarter of a century that followed this period the condition of the Jews in Russia changed for the worse. Pogroms and riots took place. The well known May laws were enacted and enforced. The Jews were driven back to the ‘Pale,’ which resulted in a large emigration of Jews from Russia to different countries of the world, especially to America. The Kishineff and other massacres that followed were the climax of the terrible conditions. “Though nothing was directly done in favor of the Jews in Russia in the beginning of the reign of Alexander ’ll, and the worst edicts were issued during his regime, still the desperate struggle which the people of Russia

Card Playing is Injurious

Narcotizing Influence Is Exercised If Indulged - In Too Often. Dancing is all right; yes, indeed, dancing is fine. It founds out the limbs and produces a perfect figure and all, that sort of thing; but as for card playing, why, that is dissipation of the worst kind; mental dissipation, of course. So says the official voice of the medical profession, the New York Medical Journal, in its latest issue. The Journal appears to regard even turkey trotting with a lenient eye comparedto the awful glare that it bestows on card playing, remarks the New York Morning Telegraph, strange to say, card playing among the aged and middle aged is not regarded as a vice by the physicians, but as a valuable distraction. But in the young It’s terrible, terrible.

actions excite the suspicion of their comrades. Usually a few sparrows get only enough strychnine to paralyze them for a few hours* after which they recover. It is Important, therefore, to visit the feeding places two or three hours after distributing poison to prevent such bl/ds from escaping. It is well also to remove dead birds promptly to avoid exciting the suspicions of those that are unaffected. In northern latitudes the best time to put out poison is just after a snowstorm, when other food is covered. The feeding place should be cleared of snow and the poison laid early in the morning. Sparrows should be baitedHrsecluded places, safe from interruptions and where doves and poultry are not endangered. Roofs, back yards, and unused poultry runs are favors able situations. Proximity to low trees, grape arbors, and similar retreats has the advantage that sparrows go to such plaoes between meals, and many dead birds will be found, there well away from the bait. If undisturbed, poisoned birds will usually be found within a few feet of where the bait was spread, death occurring in from three to twenty minutes. Where doves or poultry are likely to be poisoned, the sparrow, after being baited, may be induced to feed in small covered pens made of coarsely meshed wife netting and having the sides raised about an inch and a half above the ground. There is practically no danger that cats or other animals will die from eating sparrows that have been poisoned. Any wheat coated by the above process, which is overlooked by the birds, will become harmless after a few rains. .Sparrows can be reduced locally to almost any desired extent by the methods outlined above, but it should not be forgotten that such reduction can be made permanent only by systematic and continued efforts.

made for freedom has indirectly benefited the Jews. The struggle of the. Russian people for liberty resulted in the creation of the duma, and in what is known in Russia as religious liberty, which means allowing ene to return to the faith one had formerly abandoned and the abolition of the censorship of the press. “The Jews have Indirectly benefited by each of these concessions of the government to the people. Although the government resorts to means of disqualifying the Jews from being elected, to the duma, yet the fact remains that the Jews are eligible for election to the duma and reactionary as the present duma may be there are ten Jews who hold seats there. This is because the manifesto of Czar Nicholas 11. granting a parliament to the people of Russia, did not contain the famous phrase, ‘except the Jews.’ ” i .

“Card playing,” avers the Medical Journal, “is a pure and slmpa mental dissipation that grows upon the victim, like all other dissipations, to the eventual exclusion of logical and close thinking. A valuable distraction for the elderly once a week, say, if indulged in oftener, especially by the young, it exercises its narcotizing influence with irresistible force. Skill counts for only 8 per cent even in the most scientific of card games, much less in the popular gambling forms. “We have,” declares the Medical Journal, “nothing but approval for dancing, an admirably graceful and strength giving exercise adapted to produce physical perfection ana devoid in its essence of the disgraceful characteristics imposed upon it recently by certain loaders, blind or worse. It is an art, perfection in which requires study and practice ana leads to a healthy fatigue which prevents ex- ~-* V • ceases”

for use in a short time. lt should be dried thoroughly if is to be put into jars and kept for future use. Dishes employed in preparing poison may be safely cleansed by washing. The poison should be well scattered, so that many birds may be able to partake at the same time, since after a few are affected their

STORIES of CAMP and WAR

BLUFFED WITH EMPTY GUNS Company of Sixty-sixth Illinois Puts Up SolUTFront to Enemy, Although Ammunition Was Exhausted. My company had been on picket duty the night before the battle of Atlanta. We were perhaps half a mile east of the rebel' breastworks. Nothing of special interest occurred during the night. Soon after our breakfast of hardtack an order came to us, saying that the rebels had' evacuated the breastworks and, for us to join the regiment at once. My regiment, the Sixty-sixth Illinois (Western Sharpshooters), was in the Second brigade, Second —division, Sixtenth corps, under Gen. G. M. Dodge, writes J. L*. Hayes, captain Company I, Six-ty-sixth Illinois, in the National Tribune. . We joined the regiment about nine o’clock on July 22, 1864. As we moved south we halted occasionally, and finally we could see the rebel army, south of us, marching east to get in our rear. In a few minutes word came that they were advancing on us from the east. On our right was Blair’s Seventeenth corps. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth corps joined between, where we were in a large open field skirted on the south side by heavy woods. The line of battle made a bend between those two points. While we faced east, those of the Seventeenth corps faced south. The first view of the fighting was from the front of the Seventeenth* corps. The rebels made a charge in along, beautiful line of gray, shooting as they marched. Finally a halt wad made', when the Yanks made a rush for the line of gray. They stood a minute and then fell back, followed by the line of blue to near the woods. The rebels were reinforced by their reserves, and they drove our boys back again. By this time the Confederates were appearing in our front, and I told my boys to let them come nearer, as we were armed with Henry Ifr-shooters; but when they wounded some of our men some one cried out: “Shoot, boys,” and they did. In a few minutes our front was cleared, and on our right the the blue coats had been reinforced, and I saw them as they chased the Confederates into the woods, where they were lost to my ' view. Our boys continued to pepper thet woods In our front, and I thought the battle over, when all at once there poured into our front again and on our right a larger body of the enemy than at first. “Captain,” I heard my boys say; “we are out of ammunition. .What shall we do?” “Form a line and make a show; when they come beat them over the head with the butts of your guns,” I yelled. They rallied to the summons, and formed a line quicker than I can tell it. My line put up a solid front. Then we got word that we would be relieved, as Gen. Sweeney noticed our predicament and had men come to our support. We went to the rear and were supplied with ammunition. We sent the

Continued to Pepper the Woods in Our Front.

wounded to and laid our dead boys side by side for burial. We had scarcely finished this work when we were ordered on the double-quick to the relief of De Gress’ battery, which was attached to Blair’s Seventeenth corps. But unfortunately we did not arrive in time. Perhaps one hour after the De Gress episode we were ordered to rendesvous at a certain place. iWe bad just got in line, when we saw something unusual was about to occur. Soon we saw mounted men coming along the front. It was the famous ride of Gen. John Logan, and his introduction to the soldiers as the commander of the Army of the Tennessee, to take the place of Gen McPherson, who had been killed earlier in the day. Gen. Logan, mounted upon a large black horse, with his aids and orderlies, carried his hat in his hand, with his long, black hair streaming in the breeze, rode a* fast as his horse could go. His reception was a noisy* one, and the animation of the thousands of soldiers who believed in the valor of Logan was a scene never to be forgotten.