The Audubon Societies 219 



Xov. — Snails, slugs and grubs. 

 Dec. — Snails, slugs and grubs. 



The Starling is said to eat "ticks" in large numbers, perching on the backs 

 of sheep to find such food. 



It is not fond of grain, but is called useful as a scavenger, wherever carrion 

 is found. Fruit does not form an important part of its diet in its native 

 habitat. 



According to the above data, it is a useful bird in relation to agriculture 

 and horticvdture. 



During midsummer, it is reported on truck-farms near Cold Spring, 

 Long Island, where it has been observed eating cabbage-worms. 



Although useful as an individual, this species, by reason of its gregarious 

 habit, is likely to become a greater pest than the EngHsh Sparrow. — A. H. W. 



Further Notes on the Starling from Adult Observers 



Mt. Hohoke College, South Hadley, ]\Iass. 

 The Starlings have reached our campus. They were seen by some friends 

 of mine in the first week of March, a little flock of 6 or 8. I have seen only 

 2 ; these I saw on the campus the fifteenth of March. 



Nettie B. Fairbanks, 



Director of Residence Halls. 



South Swansea, Mass., June 8, 191 1. 



When we came down to the country on April 26, there was a pair of new 

 birds in possession of our lawn. At first sight we took them for blackbirds, but 

 their bright yellow bills convinced us we were wrong. 



Some friends from New York identified them as Starlings. They were out 

 looking for a home and took possession of a hole which some Flickers had 

 made just under the eaves of the house, and then abandoned. I watched 

 them carrying in bits of grass and twigs. 



In about two weeks the baby Starlings were heard from. The first chirps 

 soon became loud and lusty, and both mother and father were kept busy all 

 day. 



On the steps below the nest I found samples of their lunch, earthworms, 

 larvae and grasshoppers that had been dropped in the hurry. 



After the first week, the calls for food "were unceasing. The chattering 

 began at five in the morning and did not stop until after sundown. 



I sat and watched the nestlings one entire morning. In a week's time they 

 had become quite bold. Two days before I had seen a bill poked out, but now 

 the whole head came through the hole. At the least sound of the approaching 

 parent, the mouth was opened. Sometimes the mother dropped the worm in 

 as she flew by, without even stopping. 



