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 14 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 accomplishing 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: 
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