ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE STARLING. 57 



may be curtailed by closing all cavities which might be used for 

 nests, or reducing the diameter of the entrances to 1| inches or less. 

 While wholesale destruction of these birds, where extermination of 

 the species in this country is the object sought, can not be recom- 

 mended, occasion may arise where local overabundance will accen- 

 tuate some of the injurious habits of the species, and make a reason- 

 able reduction in their numbers justifiable. Raids on their fall and 

 winter roosts appear to be effective means of accomphshing this. 

 In church towers, especially, large numbers may be easily captured 

 at night. No poisoning method appears practicable in winter, but 

 trapping has met with moderate success on bird preserves. An ordi- 

 nary screen ash-shifter propped up on one side with a stick was used 

 to advantage in one case, and after baiting the area below it, the trap 

 was sprung by pulling a string attached to the supporting stick. 



LEGISLATION. 



The popular attitude toward the starling has been reflected in 

 State game laws. In all States where the bird is present even in 

 moderate numbers it has been placed in the list of exceptions to pro- 

 tection. These States are Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 

 Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 

 Delaware, and Maryland. In Maine, where, in the extreme south- 

 western corner, a few starlings have appeared, these birds have been 

 given protection, subject, however, to a provision in the State game 

 laws whereby any birds or mammals (save beavers) may be killed 

 when destroying crops. 



SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE. 



FOOD HABITS. 



The food habits of a bird are of paramount importance in deter- 

 mining its desirability, and in the case of the starling knowledge on 

 this subject is available from evidence revealed from a larger series 

 of stomachs apparently than any heretofore used in the investigation 

 of the food habits of a single species, supported by extensive field 

 observation in areas in this country where the species is most abun- 

 dant. Following are the more important findings: 



As an effective destroyer of terrestrial insects, including such pests 

 as cutworms, grasshoppers, and weevils, the starling has few equals 

 among the bird population of the northeastern United States. 



The most serious objection to the starling on economic grounds arises 

 from its destruction of cherries. When its work is combined with that 

 of the robin, which is fully as destructive and much less easily fright- 

 ened, the chances for a successful crop of cherries, especially of early 

 varieties, are poor. 



