PREFACE.
THE publication of this little work on the Sparrow Controversy has occurred thus:
Owing to the great public interest taken in the subject, from the increase in the number of sparrows and their depredations in England, the Colonies and America, some demand had arisen for a pamphlet issued by the United States Government, by Dr. Elliott Coues, an eminent American Ornithologist. As the pamphlet could no longer be obtained from America, it was thought desirable to reprint it. In connection, however, with Dr. Coues' pamphlet, it seemed desirable to print at the same time some account of the sparrow and its depredations in England. With this view, the services of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., and of Colonel C. Russell were solicited, and kindly rendered, and their contributions form the principal contents of the present little volume. Mr. Gurney is known as an Ornithologist, and the author of works on his favourite science, and has made the House Sparrow a subject of special study. The perusal of his interesting and valuable contribution will supply proofs of this.
