R-USN 



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3-13-31 



Of course, the starling has "become \inpopular because it gangs together 

 in such large flocks as to become a nuisance, especially in cities. Mr. McAtee 

 points out, however, that the English sparrow is not now so common as it was a 

 few years ago, and he thinlcs it possible that the starling will eventually show 

 somewhat the same adjustment. It seems tiiat when some birds are introduced 

 into a new country, they breed and spread at a tremendous rate for a few years 

 while they are occupying the land, and then drop bad: to n\ambers that can be 

 continuously supported. 



If you want further details about the European starling in the United 

 States write for Farmers' Bulletin No. 1571-F. 



No, it seems there is little reason to deprive yourself of the help 



and the music and beauty of birds for fear of getting some you don't want. 



And if you build a bird house, better build it on a post low enough to 

 reach it for cleaning. Mr. McAtee says he has noticed that when houses axe 

 put high up in trees or other inaccessible places they seldom if ever get the 

 regular clesining they should have. 



For some unknown rea,son, the birds seem to prefer a house on a post 

 to one that is placed in a tree. If possible, the house should be placed where 

 it will be shaded a little. Full sunlight or complete shade is not so good 

 as a ha"D"oy medium between the two. 



It may be well to put a sheath of metal around the post to keep snakes 

 from climbing up. Mr. McAtee told me that they have had several clutches of 

 eggs disappear completely, without a trace of shell or other mess such as a bird 

 would malce. They can't figure who could have stolen those eggs so neatly, 

 unless it was a snake, althoijgh they have seen no snalces about the place. 



In building the bird house use ro-agh lumber, make a sloping roof, with 

 the entrance hole for the bird close to the top and v/ell protected by a rather 

 wide overhang of the roof. Build the house so that it can be cleaned out 

 readily. Exact plans on how to do this, with the sizes of the entrance holes 

 for houses for different kinds of birds, and other details, can be had from 

 Farmers' Bulletin No. 1^56-F on "Homes for Birds." 



CLOSING ANiroUNCH/ENT; You can get the bulletins mentioned by writing either 

 to this Station or direct to the Office of Information, United States Department 

 of Agriculture, 'Washington, D. C. They are free as long as the supply lasts. 

 The one on "Homes for Birds" is Farmers' Bulletin No. 1U56-F. The one on the 

 "European Starling in the United States" is Farmers' Bulletin No. IS7I-F. 



