2 8o SCIENCE PROGRESS 



Every one interested in the economic aspect of bird life seems 

 agreed that they should be kept in check, but that wholesale 

 slaughter is not essential, as it is with the "blackest of thieves." 



The Missel Thrush (Turdus viscivorus, Linn.) is not so common 

 as the former, but its work in the orchard and fruit plantation is 

 far worse. In Kent growers consider it one of the worst birds. 

 It takes even black currants, which most birds avoid. Its nest 

 is frequently made in gooseberry bushes in plantations in that 

 county. Its other food besides fruit consists of various wild 

 berries, grain, seeds, caterpillars, beetles, slugs, snails, and 

 worms. The farmer gets some benefit from it, but the fruit- 

 grower seems certainly entitled to complain of its destructive 

 powers and keep its numbers down. 



Our other members of this family — the Fieldfare, the Red- 

 wing, and the Ring Ouzel — call for no comment, save the Chats, 

 such as the Wheatear, Stonechat, Whinchat, and Redstart, Robin, 

 and Nightingale, all of which do good. 



It is pleasing to turn to the Starling (Siumus vulgaris, Linn.). 

 In spite of its severe depredation on cherries, damsons, plums, 

 apples, pears, and raspberries, growers are all agreed that it is 

 a valuable friend on the farm. 



John Gilmour (16) says of this bird: "A perusal of the 

 record of his food will show he comes out of the examination 

 with flying colours, and must be regarded most certainly as a 

 friend of the farmer." 



The Rev. Henry Slater (2) says of it : " Normally one of 

 the most useful birds we have, from an agricultural point of 

 view." Horticulturists do not agree with this statement, for 

 it is an undoubted pest in fruit districts. On the farm and in 

 woodlands, however, the good the starlings do is inestimable. 

 They are acknowledged on all sides as being great wireworm, 

 leather-jacket, and other terrestrial grub eaters ; they also 

 devour slugs, and pick the keds and ticks off the backs of 

 sheep. The Rev. Henry Slater says : " I am not sure, however, 

 whether its numbers are not increasing beyond the normal, but 

 cannot point to any tangible damage which over-population 

 is driving them to commit." 



The general opinion may be summed up that the Starling 

 is most beneficial to the farmer and stockbreeder, and should 

 be encouraged, but that in fruit districts its numbers should 

 be kept down. 



