342 
PASSERIFORMES 
Economic Status. An investigation of the economic results from this 
disturbing element introduced into American conditions has been made 
by the United States Biological Survey with the following results. As an 
effective destroyer of terrestrial insects the Starling has few equals among 
the birds of northeastern North America. The most serious objection 
to it in this section is its partiality to cherries. Other fruit it attacks, 
but not to a serious extent. Its unsightly nesting habits, competition 
with other birds, and its proneness to form immense roosts counterbalance 
much good that might otherwise be expected from it. 
As though acclimatization societies and others with similar aims 
had not done harm enough already in introducing the English Sparrow to 
America, they have added another factor of unknown possibilities in the 
form of this bird to compete with native species, develop unforeseen 
qualities in a new environment, and in the absence of its natural control 
to increase enormously. Already the Starling exists in flocks of thousands 
in southern Ontario and is covering the country in ever widening circles. 
Any hope of its eradication is probably vain. 
In its habits the Starling promises to be complementary to the English 
Sparrow, occupying the orchards, parks, and suburbs as the sparrow does 
the towns. Owing to its larger size, its nesting habits are perhaps even 
more objectional than those of the English Sparrow. The fact that it occu- 
pies holes brings it into serious competition with such native forms as 
bluebirds who are already hard pressed for nesting sites under modern 
orchard methods. It was hoped that the Starling would find our Canadian 
winters too severe, but it stands the coldest weather well and finds susten- 
ance on the garbage piles of our cities and towns. As an indication of the 
potentiality for harm there is inherent in the species and the evils of its 
dense flocking See Jack Miner’s experience with it at Kingsville, Ontario. 
There the Starlings found winter roost in his planted pine grove, resorting 
to it in such numbers as, by their dropping, to smother the foliage, over- 
fertilize the ground, and finally to kill all the trees in the plantation. This 
in spite of an active campaign against them in which truck loads of the 
birds were trapped and shipped to the cities to assist in feeding the needy. 
Introduced: 
493. 1. Asiatic Starling, crested mynah Chinese starling. Japanese starling, 
l’etourneau de l’asie. Aethiopsar cristatellus. L, 10*50. A very dark, nearly black 
bird, about the size of a Robin, with large white patch 
at base of primaries and secondaries; a standing crest 
at base of bill and over eyes; bill and legs yellowish 
(Figure 425). 
Distinctions. A rather large black bird, with much 
white on wings, yellow bill rose coloured at base, and 
orange-red feet; an upstanding crest of lanceolate 
feathers at base of bill, covering nostrils. Not likely to 
be mistaken for any other species of probable occurrence 
in Canada. 
Field Marks. A black bird about the size of a 
Robin with conspicuous white patches on w r ings, yellow 
eyes, pale yellow bill, and red-orange legs. It has a far- Chinese Starling; scale, 
reaching, melodious, whistled call that can be heard 
above the roar of traffic in the crowded city streets. 
Distribution. Central and southern China. Introduced in British Columbia at 
Vancouver and now well established there. 
