Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/412

384 some of our best observers as to the destructive nature of this bird. For instance, from Mr. J.H. Gurney's report on the monthly food of the Sparrow, and which details the contents of the stomachs of six hundred and ninety-four birds, conviction is surely obtained. As Mr. Gurney remarks, "It may be said that about 75 per cent, of an adult Sparrow's food during its life is corn of some kind." In their summary the authors draw up this further indictment:—

"In the present space it is impossible to enter fully on this important national matter, but still we find, in addition to what all concerned know too well already of the direct and obvious losses from Sparrow marauding, that there is evidence of the injurious extent to which they drive off other birds, as the Swallows and Martins, which are much more helpful on account of their being wholly insectivorous; also that, so far from the Sparrows food being wholly of insects at any time of the year, even in the young Sparrows only half has been found to be composed of insects; and of the food of the adults, it was found from examination that in a large proportion of instances no insects at all were present, and of these many were of kinds that are helpful to us or harmless. Also it is well on record that there are many kinds of birds which help us greatly by devouring insects, and that where Sparrows have been systematically destroyed for a long course of years all have fared better for their absence; and also attention should be drawn to the enormous powers of increase of this bird, which under not only protection, but to some extent absolute fostering, raises its numbers so disproportionately as to destroy the natural balance."

a French aeronaut, made a balloon ascent at Annecy on the occasion of the dedication of a monument to Carnot, says a despatch to the 'Petit Journal.' The town is separated by a lake from a mountain 1800 mètres in height, which is the home of many Eagles. While the balloon was descending an enormous Eagle swooped down on it and lit on the edge of the balloon near where the ropes that supported the car were attached. The Eagle's weight made the bag sway violently, and M. Cabalzar feared an accident. The Eagle hung on, staring at the aeronaut, until the balloon was within 200 yards of the earth, when the shouts of the peasants drove him away.— ('Westminster Gazette.')

learn from the 'Wombat,' published at Geelong, Victoria, Australia, that "the bonus offered by the Government for the destruction of Cormorants has been discontinued, owing to the amount voted last year for this purpose having been exhausted." On the other hand, it was intended to issue a proclamation on March 24th, to change the close season