during the entire year, supplemented by wire Sparrow traps 

 baited with cracked corn during the winter, and destroy their 

 eggs and nests wherever found. Martins arrive during the first 

 or second week in May, and by keeping the Martin house cov- 

 ered with burlap or bagging until their arrival, the Sparrow will 

 be forced to look elsewhere for quarters, for it is an early breeder, 

 and nests before the Martin arrives. 



The European Starling has now made its appearance in Massa- 

 chusetts and adjoining states, is fast becoming established, and is 

 increasing in numbers. The Starling, like the English Sparrow, 

 was introduced by some thoughtless, but well-meaning individ- 

 ual, for the purpose of combating the ravages of injurious insects. 

 The results have not been satisfactory from an economic point 

 of view, from the fact that the Starling has shown a disposition 

 to acquire a liking for fruits of many sorts as well as grains. 

 While it is true that at certain seasons of the year he destroys 

 many harmful insects, that his glossy plumage, yellow bill, his 

 sedate saunterings about the lawn, his gurgling, whistling notes 

 and droll antics afford both interest and amusement to the observ- 

 er, yet he can never fulfill the mission that rightfully belongs 

 to many species of our native birds. 



It is deplorable that the time and energy wasted in unsuccess- 

 ful attempts along these lines, could not have been devoted in 

 the years that have gone to increasing the numbers of our native 

 birds. 



The Starling will nest in bird houses, in cornices and crevices 

 of buildings, and in the abandoned holes of woodpeckers, and is 

 thus a menace to our native birds of similar nesting-habits. 



The owner of a Martin house must use the same vigorous 

 methods of elimination with this species as with the English 

 Sparrow, or put up nesting-boxes for the Starling. 



The Martins start on their long southern journey late in Au- 

 gust, or during the first week in September. Immediately after 

 their departure, the house should be thoroughly cleaned, the 

 nests removed, and it is well to look at this time for the egg 

 clusters of the gypsy moth that are frequently deposited in the 

 nesting apartments. A little powdered sulphur scattered on the 



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