The Increase of Starlings 
A bird which promises to become as prominent in the bird 
life of the cities of Essex County as the English sparrow, is 
the Starling, first introduced into this country from Europe 
about thirty years ago. 
The increase and spread of this species in our county during 
the past five years has been phenomenal, and the fall of the 
present year (1919) finds huge flocks gathered in many lo¬ 
calities with the evident intent of wintering with us. 
Last summer for the first time I noticed several pairs nesting 
in the Elm trees of Salem Common, and since early spring I 
have constantly heard their notes around my home on Wash¬ 
ington Square. 
In late September on the grounds of the Salem Golf Club 
in North Salem, I saw a flock of these birds which must have 
contained many thousand individuals, for I counted over 
one hundred on a very small area, and the ground for hundreds 
of feet beyond was literally black with them. 
In Topsfield, on November 16th, I saw two separate flocks 
each of which I conservatively estimated at one thousand 
birds, and I have heard many reports of similarly large gather¬ 
ings. 
It will be most interesting to watch the progress of this 
species and to try to gauge its value. Let us hope it will 
prove to be a desirable alien. 
R. L. 
