12 AUGUST 1949, Page 16

Fewer Sparrows

In the many harvest fields that I have visited I have seen no single instance of damage by sparrows ; I am inclined to think that they are a diminishing species in many places. The makers of censuses of birds have decided that both blackbirds and chaffinches are more numerous, and some Midland observers hold that the sparrow emigration from towns at harvest time is now not on the scale observed years ago. Doubtless

the earliness of harvest is some protection. There arc still nestling sparrows, and at this stage the sparrow is as carnivorous as many other birds, and so does his quantum of good service. However, those who farm near big towns will not allow him any virtues, as may easily be understood.