SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY l8l 



*2 [493] Sturnus vulgaris Linn. 



Starling. 

 Common permanent resident. 



Although this was included in the Check-list as a North American bird on 

 the ground that it was accidental in Greenland, it was not until 1890 that it was 

 introduced into the United States in New York City. From there it has spread 

 widely and is increasing with great rapidity. 



As far as I can learn, the first Starling to reach Essex County came in 1908. 

 In that year and in three years following, a female was found nesting in Peabody 

 by Mr. R. B. Mackintosh but no male was seen. In December, 1913, a flock of 

 a hundred Starlings was seen in Gloucester by Mr. C. E. Brown and one shot, and 

 another flock was seen by Mr. Brown at Willowdale. A pair bred in Gloucester 

 in 1914, and the young were seen on May 6. On June 14, 1914, I saw a single 

 Starling near my house at Ipswich and a flock of twelve at Wenham on October 3. 

 In 19 1 6, they bred at Ipswich and at Rockport. During June of 19 16, I fre- 

 quently saw a flock of about thirty of these birds flying about my place and alight- 

 ing in the top of a tall bitternut hickory. Since this date the Starling has rapidly 

 increased and flocks of several hundred or even a thousand are now not uncom- 

 mon. In the next fifteen years it is probable that they will become a pest to agri- 

 culturists and aiifect considerably the hole-nesting birds. 



The short tail and in general a meadowlark build distinguish this species 

 from other black birds. 



3 Passer domesticus (Linn.). 



European House Sparrow; "English Sparrow." 



Abundant permanent resident. 



I am inclined to think that the English Sparrow has passed the summit of the 

 curve of increase in this part of the country and has begun to decline in num- 

 bers, and that he will in time take a more humble place in respect to other birds 

 as is the case in his native country. Our birds are less afraid of him than for- 

 merly, and are not so easily imposed on. They are gradually coming back to the 

 suburban towns. On my own place, although I have between twenty-five and 

 thirty bird-boxes, none is ever occupied by English Sparrows and it is rare to 

 see any of this species near my house. The tradition of my use of the gun appar- 

 ently still exists among these alien pests. 



