Birds and all Nature, Vol. IV, No 4, October 1898

<h2><SPAN name="NEW_CHAMPION_FOR_THE_SPARROW" id="NEW_CHAMPION_FOR_THE_SPARROW"></SPAN> NEW CHAMPION FOR THE SPARROW.</h2> <p>The Sparrow has found an unexpected champion in the Prime Minister of France. The farmers have recently been agitating in favor of the extermination of the little bird, and succeeded so far that a decree was submitted to Premier Meline for signature, giving orders for the destruction of the bird throughout the country by all available means. Before giving his sanction to the measure the Prime Minister determined to make an investigation, in the course of which he has received so much information in favor of the birds, especially from the Forestry Department, that he has not only refused to sign the decree, but has announced that he is about to take steps to promote the increase of the species in consequence of its usefulness. It seems that the harm they do to the crops is more than counterbalanced by the benefits which they confer in destroying the Caterpillars, Worms, and other insects that are so detrimental to trees.</p> <p>It seems incredible that the matter of the usefulness or noxiousness of this little bird cannot be settled finally by those vested with authority to act. It is either beneficial or a pest. We think it is both, according to circumstances.</p> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />