Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ENGLISH SPARROW
ENGLISH SPARROW. In 1876 the loss of insect-eating songbirds was seen as removing one protection for fruit and shade trees. Based upon their success in the eastern part of the country, English sparrows were thought to be a remedy. Mr. D. Wagner proposed in April 1876 to purchase fifty of the birds to be shipped to Dubuque and then turned loose. The Dubuque Herald commented that the idea was a "commendable effort."
---
"More Good Birds Wanted," Dubuque Herald, April 14, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760414&printsec=frontpage&hl=en