When sparrows were adored
THE 1860s was a time when all sorts of birds and other animals were brought to Melbourne, usually from Britain, in the hope they would thrive here.
Many of those that survived the journey failed to acclimatise, but a small number flourished in their new home, but soon became serious pests.
House sparrows were one of the most successful species.
It is said that the first sparrows arrived in September 1863 when 80 were imported and released by a G. Sprigg, giving rise to the occasionally used nickname of “Spriggies”.
They were so prized that in 1865 two schoolboys in Warrnambool were fined the thenhuge sum of five pounds for destroying a nest with its eggs they had found in a street tree.
In Geelong, Daniel Bunce had large aviaries established in the botanic gardens and attempted to breed some of the imported birds. Sparrows were an instant success, and a few were released with great care in some of the leafier gardens in Newtown.
In 1870 Bunce, along with former Geelong Mayor R. de B. Johnstone, took a small number halfway to Queenscliff and released them with the wish they would flourish.
Their introduction may have been prompted by the belief they would feed on insect pests plaguing market gardens.
But by 1907 they were considered a serious pest and a threat to agriculture.
Control measures included spreading poisoned wheat and there was even a Lara Sparrow Shooting Club with a prize for the member who shot the most annually.
Times change and although we either like or loathe them, sparrows are now part of our landscape.
(These thoughts were prompted thanks to a letter I received from Peter Webb.)