The Starling in Essex Co., N. J. 45 



In 1905 they had increased to large numbers and were 

 present in many places throughout the county. Up to this 

 time they appeared very timid and kept well away from man- 

 kind and his habitations. I found four nests this year in nest 

 holes of the woodpeckers, one under the cornice of the Bloom- 

 field High School and about a dozen at various telephone; sta- 

 tion poles in and about Newark. 



In 1906 and 1907 they had increased to surprisingly large 

 numbers, and detached flocks were present throughout the 

 year, especially about the garbage dumps. It has been my 

 experience that these birds run the gulls a close second for 

 honors as scavengers, and a sure place to always find them is 

 near one of these garbage disposals. 



In 19C8 and 1909 they had further increased and began 

 establishing permanent residence in bird boxes, nest holes, 

 hollow trees, and '..on cornices and other accessible places on 

 public buildings, and remained in the vicinity after once tak- 

 ing possession. In 1909 I first found them engaged in con- 

 flicts with Sialia sialis and Colaptes a. hiteus, and this year 

 four newly completed nests of the Flicker and three of the 

 Bluebird were taken possession of by these interlopers. 



Within ten feet of .my study window these is located a 

 nesting box which my father placed there twenty years ago 

 for the wrens and , bluebirds. This, however, was never oc- 

 cupied by any of our domestic birds, but was seized by the 

 English vSparrows and held by them until 1908, when a pair 

 of Starlings appeared and drove them away. The Star- 

 lings reared two broods during 1908, one in 1909 and two 

 this year in this box. The birds have permanently estab- 

 lished themselves and are about the box daily, only leaving 

 when away feeding. 



Articles have appeared in a number of our bird magazines 

 for and against these birds and it is my opinion that at pres- 

 ent their introduction has not reached a degree upon which 

 may be based 'a conclusion as to whether they are beneficial 

 or otherwise, but, from, my own experience with these birds 

 about my home, I am almost convinced that the time is not 



