3 
New York Zoological Society. 
EUROPEAN STARLINGS (Sturnus vulgarus). Length: 8 inches. Range: Northern 
Hemisphere. 
Gifted with an astounding vocal range, the starling imitates almost any 
sound. It fares equally well in city or country. It was introduced to New York 
City in 1890 and since then has spread westward to the Rocky Mountains. Among 
the Greeks the starlings were known as crop-destroyers. The fields were guarded 
by men armed with slings to frighten away these birds. 
