Food Habits of Birds 



By Frank M. Chapman 



Starlings {Family Sturnidae) 



Starling (Sturntis vulgaris). — The Starling was first successfully intro- 

 duced into this country by Mr. Eugene Schieffelin, under whose direction 80 

 birds were released in Central Park, New York City, March 6, 1890; and 40 more 

 on April 25, 1891. There was evidently room in this new environment for these 

 birds for they so thrived that their descendants are now numbered by thousands ; 

 flocks containing several hundred being frequently seen in the upper part of 

 New Yory City and eastward along the sound. 



The Starling, therefore, is now firmly established in this country, and if it 

 continues to multiply at the rate already shown to be possible, it will in compara- 

 tively few years become one of our most abundant birds. 



Whether this species will prove to be beneficial or injurious it is difficult to 

 surmise. In its own habitat it is said to be on the whole economically valuable ; 

 but under wholly new surroundings, where its relations to other species are as yet 

 undetermined, one cannot predict what its place in nature will be. There can be 

 no question, however, that the present is the time to give this matter serious 

 consideration. In a few years Starlings will be as far beyond control as English 

 Sparrows are now. 



Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. {Family laeHdae) 



In this family are included several species reputed to be the worst enemies 

 among birds, to the farmer. The Blackbirds, of several species, are especially 

 condemned as grain destroyers. Raising only one brood they begin to flock early 

 in July and before the grain is harvested have gathered in enormous bodies 

 which unquestionably do much damage. It is, therefore, not without cause that 

 our law refuses Blackbirds protection at all seasons. The question is, shall we 

 go further than this? Shall we attempt to reduce the numbers of these birds? 

 On this point Professor Beal writes : 



"In a treatise on the destructiveness of grain-eating birds it is natural that 

 the reader should expect at least a suggestion of a remedy. Unfortunately it is 

 much easier to point out the evil than to prescribe the cure. Stomach investiga- 

 tion shows conclusively that birds do not subsist upon grain alone, even at times 

 when it is possible to obtain it. Moreover, the greatest amount of grain is not 

 eaten at harvest time, but during the winter months, when other food is scarce 

 and waste kernels can be picked up in the fields. If any kind of grain is preferred 

 by a certain species, we should expect the bird to subsist upon that grain almost 

 exclusively when it can be obtained, that is, at harvest time. That this is not the 



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