3'08 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
ASKED AND ANSWERED 
Getting Rid of Blackbirds. 
Editor Asked and Answered: — We are 
greatly bothered with blackbirds in one of 
Gur down-town parks and have been un- 
able to get rid of them. The park is quite 
heavily wooded, with soft maple and Nor- 
way spruce predominating. The birds flock 
in about an hour before sundown and stay 
over night. On account of the muss they 
make it has become a real problem to get 
rid of them. Could any of the other park 
superintendents suggest any method of con- 
trol?— H. L. B„ Mich. 
I confess that this is something new to 
me, though I am often asked about meth- 
ods of attracting birds. The term blackbirds 
is rather an elastic one and may mean one 
of several birds, but I suspect that your 
inquirer is pestered by flocks of starlings, 
a European bird that is becoming somewhat 
of a nuisance in spots, though it undoubt- 
edly destroys a great many insects of vari- 
ous kinds. This is the only bird that would 
travel together in great numbers at this 
time, though, of course, other birds, like 
the grackle, cow blackbird, etc., will do so 
when migrating. Without having more def- 
inite information to go by, I would advise 
the frightening away of the birds at dusk, 
or just when they are about to settle down 
for the night, by the firing of blank shot- 
gun cartridges or the lighting of smoky 
fires among ihe trees, or the use of a strong 
stream of water to dislodge them. One or 
all of these measures should induce the 
birds to search for other shelter if persist- 
ed in for a few days. 
Hermann W. Merkel. 
Zoological Park, N. Y. City. 
Your correspondent states that the 
blackbirds come before sundown and stay 
over night. If lie desires to discourage 
their visits it might be well for him to try 
a few shots with a shotgun each evening. 
They would probably soon find out that 
they were not welcome and would discon- 
tinue their nightly visits. I should not ad- 
vise poisoning them, unless this method be 
used as the last resort. Frank Baker, 
Supt, National Zoological Park. 
Washington, D. C. 
Where blackbirds, starlings or other 
gregarious birds choose shade trees in vil- 
lages, parks or cemeteries they usually may 
be dislodged by the use of Roman candles. 
The most favorable time for operation is 
after dark, when the birds become settled 
for the night. When the fiery balls from 
the candles burst among them they flee in 
confusion and are not liable to return. If 
they persist in coming back they should be 
treated a second time with Roman candles 
or small rockets. A. K. Fisher, 
In Charge, Economic Investigation, 
Bureau of Biological Survey. 
Washington, D. C. 
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