Auk, XV,. Jan., 
_. , .1893, p p.yr-6- 
The Starling (Sturnus vulgaris ) on Long Island. — The European 
Starling seems to have successfully established itself on Long Island. 
In the summer of 1896 I was informed that this bird was nesting in the 
tower of the Boys’ High School Building at Marcy and Putnam Avenues, 
Brooklyn. Of the accuracy of this report I was unable at the time to 
-acquaint myself personally. Lately, however, the Starlings may be seen 
perched on, and flying about this tower at almost any time. It is appar- 
ently a place in which they have taken up a permanent abode. Flying 
from these high perches they look not a little like Martins, and might be 
mistaken for them at a season when the latter birds are present. 
A Starling was killed about a year ago in the immediate outskirts of 
Brooklyn by a boy who knocked it down with a stone. I am unable to 
give the date. 
I first noted the Starling in the field on October 8, this year, when a 
flock of a dozen or more was seen perched in a tree by the roadside near 
the Kensington Station. During this and the next month I saw them in 
this locality several times. Once or twice one or more birds were seen 
on the piazza roof of a suburban cottage in apparently friendly com- 
pany with English Sparrows. On October 22, about thirty individ- 
uals of this species were seen in this neighborhood. Two specimens 
were shot, the stomachs of which were sent to Dr. Merriam, chief of 
the United States Biological Survey. 
The bill of fare of the Starling has not been materially changed by its 
transportation to another continent. It enjoys in England at about the 
same time of year, about the same food. In the one full stomach ex- 
amined (the other was nearly empty), ninety-five per cent of the contents 
was animal matter, mainly insects (multipeds and beetles, larval lampyrids, 
grasshoppers, crickets, ichneumonid, caterpillar), but also included two 
small pieces of bone, “ probably belonging to some batrachian.” The 
five per cent was merely vegetable rubbish. Dr. Merriam kindly stated 
that the contents of this stomach, examined by Prof. Beal, agree essen- 
tially with those of three stomachs taken in England in October. 
The bird will doubtless widen its range on Long Island, though its 
extension in this direction since its introduction into New York City, 
in 1890, has not as yet been rapid. — William C. Braislin, M. D., 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 
crvK X 0 s/ itcit) /i - 
Sturnus vulgaris. About a mile in a straight line from the colony of 
Skylarks, I first saw the European Starling, where it was afterward seen 
repeatedly. Near Kensington Station someone within the present year 
has placed in a large tree several bird boxes, which are occupied by the 
Starlings. 
The tower of the Boys’ High School in Brooklyn noted in the article 
referred to as occupied by these birds, still retains its attractions for 
them. This was probably the original nesting colony on Long Island. 
Another colony now occupies the steeple of a church at Bedford Avenue 
and Madison Street. At several points in the environs of Brooklyn the 
Starlings have been seen, where they were evidently visiting for the 
purpose of obtaining food, while at various points in the city itself they 
are commonly observed. Auk, XVI, April, 1899, p p.ip-3. 
C. -UAU Kv. 0.^ - 
Sturnus vulgaris. As a fulfillment of predictions that the Starling 
would gradually widen its range on Long Island, it is perhaps worth 
while to note that a specimen has been taken as far east as Hicksville. 
Mr. Lott, a taxidermist of Freeport, informed me that a bird strange to 
him had been sent for mounting, with a report that it had been shot at 
Hicksville. On examining the specimen I found it to be a Starling. — 
William C. Braislin, M D., Brooklyn , N. Y. 
Auk, XXI, Apr. , 1904 , p . ^ 
The Starling at Plattsburg, N. Y.— While at the second officers’ 
training camp, I observed a flock of five Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris) flying 
over the town some time the first week in October, 1917 . It is believed 
that this is the farthest north that this species has been noted.-— Ludlow 
Griscom, 2 nd Lieut., Inf., 0 . R. C. 
xxkn /, Octr /1 1 9. fu. 
