BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 279 



This is not mere speculation ; we have experience to teach 

 us on this subject. Kahn records, that after some states had 

 paid three pence a dozen for the destruction of blackbirds, the 

 consequence was a total loss in the year 1749, of all the grass 

 and grain, by means of insects which had flourished under the 

 protection of that law. The example of our trees, just alluded 

 to, is also a standing warning ; for we see that new ones are 

 adding to their numbers. The maple, perhaps the most valued 

 of our ornamental trees, is now marked out for destruction, 

 and in spite of all that we can do, will soon be entirely lost. 

 There is nothing to prevent this process from going on ; other 

 trees will soon swell the list of victims ; and when it is too 

 late, we shall lament that we have extended the evil, by pro- 

 tecting our enemies and persecuting our friends. Every culti- 

 vator, for his own sake, as well as the public good, should en- 

 deavor to spread right views on this subject, and to show that 

 the wanton extermination of birds, is throwing difficulties 

 in the way of horticulture and farming, which no industry, 

 science, or skill can overcome. 



The American Starling, Sturnus ludovicianus, better 

 known by the name of meadow lark, is a beautiful bird, and 

 one of the most welcome messengers of spring. Wilson thought 

 it far superior to the sky lark in sweetness of voice, though 

 not equal to it in compass and power. By others, its song is 

 underrated ; and the truth is that the notes of diiferent individ- 

 uals vary from each other, some having a wiery and lisping 

 voice, while that of others is eminentij'' sweet. 



The favorite haunts of this bird are meadows and old fields. 

 They can walk easily on trees, but prefer the ground, where 

 they employ themselves in searching for insects and berries, 

 almost always associated in companies, though not very near 

 each other. If a gun be fired, great numbers will start from 

 difl"erent parts of the same field. They are always gentle and 

 retiring, and never show any disposition to encroach upon the 

 orchard or the garden. In winter, they resort to the open 

 woods, but in the close, deep forests, they are never found. 

 Some of them are seen with us late in winter; but the great 



