"The Starling 

 By Henry Thurston 



IN the woods about Floral Park this season the Starlings have nested in 

 large numbers. Not many years ago they were rare birds here, beino- 

 seen occasionally in the winter, in flocks of four or five, feeding on the fruit 

 of the Boston Ivy which covers the brick buildings. 



Last fall at dusk one could see hundreds of these birds flying to their 

 rookery. This fall I expect to see three birds to each one seen last year. 



The nest of the Starling is generally made in a dead tree ; usually one 

 used by a Woodpecker (Flicker) the year before. To this nest a pair of 

 birds return each year ; I think, possibly, the same pair, but as I have no 

 way of identifying them it would not be right for me to say so positively. 

 Into the nesting hole each year they carry hay, feathers and pieces of strino- 

 and make a lining which, in spite of its rough nature, is warm and com- 

 fortable. 



About the 15th of April the female lays her first set, which is usually 

 seven eggs ; this set is completed in seven days. The eggs are a pale bluish 

 green in color and range from the size of a Robin's egg to one a little 

 larger. The time taken to hatch eggs is one and one-half to two weeks ; then 

 the trouble begins. The young are the hungriest of any birds I know, and 

 during the day the parents fly busily back and forth carrying food for them. 

 If one climbs a tree that contains a family of Starlings a hissing noise is 

 heard and on arriving at the opening the always-hungry nestlings will be found 

 with necks stretched at full length and mouths wide open, waiting for food. 

 During the period of incubation the female sits close and the male, 

 perched on a limb above the nesting hole, whistles softly and acts as 

 sentinel. When the tree is hit with a stick the female comes to the open- 

 ing and looks around to see what caused the noise. If the blow is repeated 

 she will fly out quickly, uttering a harsh croak and circle around the tree, 

 still crying, Then if not successful in driving off the cause of the distur- 

 bance she will settle on a near-by tree and continue this cry, in which the 

 male joins, if he is around. 



The song or whistle of the Starling is quite melodious and is usually 

 heard in the early morning or at evening. At such times, as he sits perch- 

 ed in his peculiar manner, bill pointed to the sky and head drawn close to 

 body, with the sun changing his dusky coat to iridescent shades of purple, 

 blue and green, it is a delight to lie upon the grass and look and listen. 



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