Country churchwardens and overseers are encouraged by farmers to offer
rewards for the destruction of these merry twitterers, under the notion
that they are fell destroyers of their grain. Mr. Bewick has taken some
interest in their behalf, by stating a plain fact. He says:
“Most of the smaller birds are supported, especially when young, by a
provision of caterpillars, small worms and insects; on these they feed,
and thus they contribute to preserve the vegetable world from
destruction. This is contrary to the commonly received opinion, that
birds, particularly SPARROWS, do much mischief in destroying the labours
of the gardener and husbandman. It has been observed, ‘that a SINGLE
PAIR OF SPARROWS, during the time they are feeding their young, will
destroy about FOUR THOUSAND CATERPILLARS WEEKLY!’ They likewise feed
their young with butterflies and other winged insects, each of which, if
not destroyed in this manner, would be productive of several hundreds of
caterpillars. Let us not condemn a whole species of animals, because, in
some instances, we have found them troublesome or inconvenient. Of this
we are sufficiently sensible; but the uses to which they are
subservient, in the grand economical distribution of nature, we cannot
so easily ascertain. We have already observed that, in the destruction
of caterpillars, sparrows are eminently serviceable to vegetation, and
in this respect alone, there is reason to suppose, sufficiently re-pay
the destruction they make in the produce of the garden or the field. The
great table of nature is spread alike to all, and is amply stored with
every thing necessary for the support of the various families of the
earth: it is owing to the superior intelligence and industry of man,
that he is enabled to appropriate so large a portion of the best gifts
of providence for his own subsistence and comfort; let him not then
think it waste, that, in some instances, creatures inferior to him in
rank are permitted to partake with him, nor let him grudge them their
scanty pittance; but, considering them only as the tasters of his full
meal, let him endeavour to imitate their cheerfulness, and lift up his
heart in grateful effusions to HIM, ‘who filleth all things with
plenteousness.’”
* * * * *