assist in bringing about this much-to-be-regretted condition of things. He must be a fool who can close his eyes to the fact. Wherever we turn, evidence of its baneful influence confronts our vision. We cannot escape it. Can it be said, therefore, that a history of this bane of our avi-fauna, and curse of man, is labor bestowed upon a worthless object, is time sacrificed for nothing? I know it will be affirmed by some, even if it has not been already, that the sparrow is not deserving of the attention bestowed upon it. In reply the writer would say that his only plea for writing its history is that a more general knowledge of its odious practices, which are manifold, shall be brought before the masses, particularly that class of hard-working men, the tillers of the soil, and the growers of vegetables, upon whom the professional man and the brawny mechanic depend for many of the essential articles of life. Further, to awaken attention to the growing evil, in the confident expectation that it may be instrumental in the adoption of practicable means for getting rid of the intolerable nuisance.
With the hope that this little book may accomplish the object for which it is designed, and be instrumental in the production of much invaluable good, the author sends it forth upon its mission of kindness and mercy, with his best wishes for its success.
THOMAS G. GENTRY.
- Germantown, Dec. 6, 1877,
55 Sharpnack Street.
