ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE STARLING. 9 
The first new feathers appear on the sides of the breast, the flanks, 
and the center of the back, while the plumage of the head is the last 
to change. During July, August, and early September, young birds 
in all stages of the molt may be found. When the plumage has 
completely changed the young can not with certainty be distin- 
guished from the adults, although they tend to have larger white 
- tips to the feathers below. 
In flight the starlmg may be confused with a few other species. 
From its habit of sailing on fixed wings for considerable distances 
it is often mistaken for the purple martin, but a little watching will 
reveal the starling’s greater speed. When in flocks starlings may 
be distinguished from other gregarious species with which they often 
associate by the wonderful coordination of action between the in- 
dividuals of the flock, their rapid wing beats, great speed, and ability 
to alter direction instantly. 
In searching for food the starling walks rather rapidly and with 
little change in pace, keeping up a contimuous zigzag course when 
on grassland, seldom hesitating unless to pick up food. 
The contention of many bird lovers that the starling’s lack of song 
is a good reason for not allowing it to supplant native songsters is open 
to controversy. While its notes, outside of a clear whistle or two 
and a coarse rasping note of alarm, are subdued and lack melody, 
should one chance to be close to a male starlmg putting forth his 
best efforts, the results will be as fascinating as the more celebrated 
whisper songs of the catbird or of the brown thrasher. The starling 
is a mimic par excellence and has the notes of a number of our 
native birds already in its repertoire, a fact that has often led to 
error in identification when the observer placed too much confi- 
dence in notes alone. Perhaps the bird most frequently imitated 
is the wood pewee, whose plaintive “‘pee-a-wee” is reproduced 
with such delicate skill that it can not be distinguished from the 
song of the woodland flycatcher itself. The mellow tones of the 
bluebird’s call are given with almost equal fineness. In areas where 
the bob-white is common its two-noted whistle is readily taken up 
by the starlmg and executed in a way that closely resembles the 
original. Notes of the red-winged blackbird, grackle, fieid sparrow, 
flicker, blue jay, Carolina wren, and English sparrow also are given, 
but less frequently. Young starlings have a harsh, hissing, or rasping 
note, which seems to have its origin as a feeding call, but is given for 
some time after leaving the nest. 
LIFE HISTORY. 
During the first week in April the wintering flocks of starlings 
begin to decrease in numbers as the birds mate and wander off in 
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