4S 

 A PLEA FOR THE STARLING. 



JOHN HARRISON, 

 n'ihtrof> Hall, Yorkshire. 



The long-continued depression so severely felt by agriculturists 

 has been attended by changes that could scarcely have been reckoned 

 upon twenty years ago. The passing of the 'Ground Game Act' 

 enabled tenant-farmers to check the excessive increase of hares and 

 rabbits, which on some estates were a constant source of disappoint- 

 ment, vexation, and loss. In fact, every subject connected with 

 agriculture is freely discussed at Farmers' Clubs and Chambers of 

 Agriculture, so that we may reasonably hope that most of the 

 grievances which farmers have endured will sooner or later he 

 redressed. 



Sometimes, however, we hear them complain of annoyances which 

 they — by united action — could speedily remove, for quite recently it 

 was reported that some of the fen districts of Lincoln or Cambridge 

 were infested by swarms of rats which were committing extensive 

 havoc. But why were they alluwed to increase and multiply to such 

 an extent when the consequences might be clearly foreseen ? 



During last month, at the annual dinner of the Cheshire Farmers 

 Club, the Secretary reported that sparrows were so numerous, that 

 previous to last harvest, damage done by them to the wheat crop in 

 the county of Chester was estimated at from four to ten bushels per 

 acre. Certainly, with ordinary precaution, such a loss would not 

 have been sustained. In the several parishes of this neighbourhood, 

 it has been customary for more than half a century to pay one half- 

 penny per head for every sparrow destroyed, and the same sum for 

 each nest of not less than four eggs, which effectually prevented their 

 increase. This is what the Cheshire farmers have decided to do. 



It was also stated at the above-mentioned meeting that starlings 

 were injurious to the farmer, though in what particular way was not 

 specified. This greatly surprised me, as I have had better oppor- 

 tunities than most farmers of observing their habits, as for the last 

 twenty-five years not less than 150 to 200 pairs of starlings have 

 annually made nests and reared their young in the farm premises 

 contiguous to my house, and although some of the nests were in the 

 garden walls, and within a few yards from where strawberries, 

 raspberries, currants, and plums were ripening, the birds passed them 

 by, preferring to search for grubs, worms, slugs, beetles, &c., in the 

 lawn and adjacent pastures. During the breeding season especially, 

 they were continually engaged from morn till dewy eve in clearing 

 the fields of what are correctly termed ' pests of the farm.' 



Feb. 1890. 



