. Report on the birds of Pennsylvania : with special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations. Birds. 396 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Ten observers report attacks upon domesticated doves or pigeons, and one each on hens and chickens. It will thus be seen that the reports mention specifically seventy kinds of wild birds which are known to be molested more or less by the sparrow. A majority of Ihese birds are species which nest about houses and gardens, and, with the exception of the crow, jay, and possibly one or two others, all are decidedly beneficial to the f
. Report on the birds of Pennsylvania : with special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations. Birds. 396 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Ten observers report attacks upon domesticated doves or pigeons, and one each on hens and chickens. It will thus be seen that the reports mention specifically seventy kinds of wild birds which are known to be molested more or less by the sparrow. A majority of Ihese birds are species which nest about houses and gardens, and, with the exception of the crow, jay, and possibly one or two others, all are decidedly beneficial to the farmer and gardener. Naturally the birds most aftected are those whose nesting habits are similar to tho^ of the sparrow ; that is, which nest mainly in boxes provided for them ; in cavities or cornices of buildings; under the eaves ot barns or outhouses, or in the natural cavities of trees. Tlius, in a total of about 1,860 complaints, we find that more than half relate to martins, swallows, wrens and bluebirds, whose nests or nesting places are coveted by the sparrow. But in most places the sparrows since outgrew such accommodations and were compelled to build nests among the branches of trees, like other birds ; and at once such bulky nests as those of the robin, catbird, etc., were seized upon and utilized either as building material or as foundation for new nests. Thus new quarrels have been continually originating, and the sparrow has been steadily encroaching on the territory of other birds. Although a large part of the trouble with native birds has doubtless arisen from questions over nesting places, still there is abundance of testimon\' that the sparrow molests birds under other circumstances. Nearly one-third of all the complaints of injury to other birds relate to species whose nesting and food habits are very different from those of the sparrow, and whose relations with this bird might reasonal)ly be expected to be peaceful and pleasant. Among such may be mentioned t
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