Some notes, concerning ‘Farm Pests’ penned by Percy Trollope, circa 1980:
The rabbit did most damage to growing crops. Owing to high fertility, some farms were overrun with rabbits. In spite of numerous predators, both human and animal, large numbers of rabbits had to be killed every winter by shooting, ferreting and trapping. The income from the killed rabbits did not cover the cost of the damaged and fouled fields.
Birds were another nuisance, especially on freshly sown crops. Rooks, jackdaws and crows could and did follow the lines of sprouting seeds, to satisfy their needs. Boys were employed to scare the birds by walking around the fields banging two pieces of wood together.
The common house sparrow after rearing several broods would congregate when the corn was ripening and would raid the crop in their hundreds. Shooting into a disturbed flock could kill 50 or more sparrows at a time. They were often eaten as food, made into sparrow pie.
Village sparrow clubs were formed. One was formed at Longbridge Deverill in 1852. At the club’s annual meeting in 1866, the prizes were awarded as follows:
“Mr. Gadd of Wilton, 7409 birds, prize £3; Mr. John Randal, 3479 birds, £2; Mr. Thomas Millard, Shute Farm, 2,377 birds, prize £1; Mr. Thomas Parham, 1618 birds, prize 10 shillings. A great increase compared with former years.
Many sparrows were trapped in wire cages. The clap net was used during roosting periods. And many were caught by the aid of a lantern when disturbed in barns.
Moles – Mole tails were paid for at the rate of 1d. per tail.