268 Bird - Lore 



[In the adjoining village of Cold Spring Harbor, L. I., a pair of Starlings brought off 

 their brood, probably a second, on July 6, 191 1. There were five in this brood, and the 

 nest was in a crevice directly over a beam in an old building, with an exit through a hole 

 to the south. 



The Bob-white occurs very sparingly in the wooded areas abo:t Cold Spring Harbor. 

 Possibly, a few pairs are all that have survived of this once abundant game-bird. It is 

 possible that the call of the Bob-white may have been heard by the Starlings in this 

 vicinity, and imitated by them. 



Two Starlings were observed eating wild cherries in the same tree with a Robin, so 

 that Miss Lee's observation is corroborated. We may expect the newcomer to appro- 

 priate this kind of food-supply. Fortunately wild fruit is very abundant in the localities 

 mentioned. 



On August 2, a flock of over one hundred Starlings was seen on Lloyd's Neck, several 

 miles north of Huntington. This flock flew in and settled among a herd of cows in an 

 open pasture. Whether the birds found an attractive supply of insects around the cattle 

 could not be definite^ decided, but the field evidently offered sufficient food to give 

 this large flock a ration. 



Miss Lee's careful observations suggest the value of becoming intimately acquainted 

 with the habits of the Starling at all seasons of the year. Will not young observers send 

 in reports on this species from as many sections of its range as possible? — A. H. W.] 



An Unexpected Record 



My acquaintance with the Starling began July 22, 1909, when three were 

 seen. On May 8, 1910, a flock came. Others followed, so that by June i they 

 were quite abundant. Several times they were seen carrying what appeared to 

 be nesting material, but they did not seem satisfied, for they began to leave, a 

 few stragglers remaining into July. From August 31 to September 8, some 

 young birds were seen. They have been entirely absent this year. 



On May 21, 27 and 28, 19 10, two European Goldfinches were seen. During 

 their brief stay their pleasing song was heard. — Ralph Beebe, Newberry, 

 Michigan, June 12, 191 1. 



[In reply to your inquiries regarding my notes on the occurrence of the Starling in 

 Newberry, Michigan, I confess that I am unable to account for its presence at this 

 place. It is readily distinguished from our native birds, and I have had no difficulty in 

 recognizing it, although I had never seen it before. — R. B., July 3, 191 i.j 



This morning, four StarHngs passed me, flying rapidly southward. All were 

 apparently adults. They uttered notes not unlike the sound which might be 

 produced by striking a steel rail with a hammer. 



A wind and rain storm occurred on thij date. — R. B. August 7, 191 1. 



[Mr. Beebe's communications start the inquiry as to how far west the Starling has 

 now gone. As yet, no clue has been found explaining its appearance in Michigan. 

 The statement that European Goldfinches have once been observed in Newberry 

 suggests that some one may have carried a few Starlings and Goldfinches to Michigan, 

 or elsewhere to some adjoining locality, so that small and isolated flocks occurred for 

 a year or two. From the above observations, it would seem that the Starling, at least, 

 has survived. — A. H. W.l 



