Summary

This sparrow, Passer domesticus was dissected by Frederick McCoy, the first professor of Natural History at the University of Melbourne and prominent Acclimatisation Society member. He was trying to prove that they ate only insects and that the Acclimatisation Society had been correct to introduce sparrows to Victoria in 1862 to control caterpillar plagues. By 1865 sparrows were destroying Victorian crops and orchards. After considerable lobbying by angry farmers, in 1869 the Acclimatisation Society agreed that sparrows could be shot as pests.

Specimen Details

Taxonomy

Geospatial Information

  • Country

    Australia

  • State

    Victoria

  • Precise Location

    Parkville, Melbourne University

  • Latitude

    -37.8

  • Longitude

    144.97

  • Geodetic Datum

    WGS84

  • Georeference Protocol

    AMG conversion, collection or Gazetteer