Ib6 COLLIXGE. The Starliiu/. TisfocT 



are laid waste. In many cases great loss is occasioned by the rooting 

 up of seeds which are not consumed. In a like manner the fruit 

 grower can recount serious damage to strawberry, raspberry, goose- 

 berry, currant, cherry, plum, pear, and apple crops, and here again 

 a large tonnage of fruit is damaged apart from that actually eaten. 



The above figures were obtained from investigations on the star- 

 ling up to the end of 1918, but we are convinced that a new inquiry 

 at the present time would show that the injuries had become greater, 

 and the benefits less, owing to the further increase in the number 

 of individuals. Moreover, if we examine the food of starlings from 

 limited areas we find that in spite of the large number of injurious 

 insects they eat in agricultural districts, the percentage of cereals 

 and cultivated roots is so high that the species must be condemned. 

 In a like manner, in fruit growing districts the injuries far outweigh 

 the benefits conferred. Examined from almost any standpoint the 

 unprejudiced mind can come to one conclusion only, viz., that the 

 starling has long since risen above the "high water mark of abund- 

 ance," and in consequence is doing more harm than good. In other 

 words, we have too many specimens of one species requiring the same 

 kind of food within a limited area, and as the late Professor Beal 

 pointed out, this is the cause in nearly all cases where a bird be- 

 comes injurious. 



If further evidence were needed against the starling it is supplied 

 by its activities in other countries. When first introduced into Aus- 

 tralia it was generally regarded as one of the most beneficial birds 

 to the agriculturist and fruit grower, but with its rapid increase a 

 marked change took place in its food habits to such an extent that 

 in 1905 Mr. C. French, the Victorian Government entomologist, wrote: 

 "There can be no doubt about the starling being a most pernicious 

 enemy to the fruit grower and viticulturist in this State. The star- 

 lings are increasing a thousand times faster than their natural food, 

 hence they must avail themselves of such as is obtainable. Once 

 driven to this, an appetite is acquired, and fruit diet being easily 

 obtained, they will not seek any other, even if available. It is pleasing 

 to note that the Shire Councils ai'e offering a bonus for starlings' 

 heads and eggs .... Valuable insect-eating birds such as King- 

 fishers, diamond-birds, tree creepers, and tree swallows are being 

 driven out of their nesting places in tree-hollows by swarms of 

 starlings, and before long these insectivorous birds, useful to the 

 farmer and orchardist, will be driven out of the State." 



As yet the charge of usurping the nesting places and the destruction 

 of insectivorous birds in this country is not proved, but it is only 

 natural that this should take place as the starling family becomes the 

 preponderating bird-factor in a district. The question naturally 

 arises: "How are we going to attack this problem?" It is by no 

 means an easy one, for any reckless or indiscriminate method of 

 general destruction will only do harm. The object to be sought is 

 not how to exterminate the starling, but how to reduce its numbers 

 and to keep it within reasonable limits so far as the immediate future 

 is concerned. To bring about the desirable end we would suggest 

 the following course of action: — 



(1) In all fruit growing and agricultural districts, the systematic 

 collection of the eggs and the destruction of autumn immigrants. 



(2) So far as possible, the making of all dwelling houses, farm and 

 out-buildings starling proof, '.'•• blocking up all openings or facilities 

 wherein the bird may nest. 



(3) More stringent regulations for the protection of birds of prey, 

 such as the Kestrel, Merlin, Hobby, the Tawny or Brown Owl, and the 

 Little Owl. 



(4) International co-opei-ation with those countries from which we" 

 receive autumn immigrants. 



