Madam, - Following the Ailbhe Logan (November 12th) and Gwen Duffy(November 15th) letters about sparrows, I would like to offer anexplanation. We too have fed birds for the past decade. This year hasbeen the most horrific in that not a sparrow, finch, tit, robin, et alhave partaken of the meals on offer. Without doubt it is due to theevil magpie. He now has no "black bags" to rubbish from. Wheelie binsare too heavy to open. Hence, little birds are now his staple diet.R.I.P. - Yours, etc.,
Sir HENRY GRATTAN BELLEW,
Foxrock Mount,
Dublin 18.
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Madam, - I have noted the concerns raised by a number of your young readers regarding the disappearance of house sparrows.
In recent times the house sparrow population has droppeddramatically. There are two underlying reasons for this. The firstbeing the systematic destruction of their roosting and breeding placesduring the course of roof renovation and reconstruction work. This workis frequently carried out during the sparrows' breeding season, andgenerally renders the attic space inaccessible and polluted withpesticide spray.
In the UK a similar population crash has happened. Here scientificresearch has discovered that the flies which the fledgling sparrowsdepend on have been wiped out by traffic exhaust fume pollution.
The demise of the house sparrow is indeed tragic, but it isheartening to note the concern and interest of your correspondents. -Yours, etc.,
Albert Road,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.