No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE ORNITHOLOGIST. 81 



letin, like others of its kind, is fully illustrated, and while the 

 edition lasts will be sent free to all citizens of the Common- 

 wealth who request it. 



The Starling now in Every State in New England. 



Early in the year many inquiries came to the office regard- 

 ing the starling, which is increasing in numbers and spreading 

 over the country. The newspapers took up the matter, and 

 this resulted in much correspondence with this office, which 

 seems to prove that the bird now inhabits every county in 

 the State, having even reached the island of Nantucket (where 

 a flock has been noted), and that it has gained a residence 

 in every State in New England. Apparently it came into 

 Massachusetts from the southern border through the Con- 

 necticut valley, and is still most numerous in and near that 

 valley, but it is becoming common in towns of Worcester and 

 Middlesex counties, and is establishing itself even on the coast. 



Among the changes in the bird laws recommended to the 

 Legislature of 1915 by the Massachusetts Commissioners on 

 Fisheries and Game was one removing the starling from the 

 list of birds protected at all times by law, but this among other 

 recommendations failed to receive the approval of the legis- 

 lative committee on fisheries and game and was not enacted. 

 So much public interest in the bird became manifest during 

 the year that as a matter of convenience in answering ques- 

 tions a circular on the starling was prepared and printed. 



The English Sparrow making Trouble. 



For years the English sparrow has been the subject of much 

 correspondence with this office. Many people complain of the 

 sparrow's destructiveness to crops and to native birds, and 

 request advice regarding the means of controlling or destroy- 

 ing it. Its many friends also write, expressing their indigna- 

 tion that any one should attempt to harm it. As a means of 

 saving trouble and expense in replying to its friends and foes 

 a circular of 18 pages was published. 



The above-mentioned circulars on the starling and the spar- 

 row are the first papers on the natural enemies of the native 

 birds to be issued by the State Board of Agriculture as cir- 



