40 THE: AUDUBON: BULE Ei 

Farmers Argue Value of Pheasants and Quail 
Special to The Chicago Daily News. 
Bloomington, IIl., June 1o.—Central Illinois farmers and city hunters 
are arguing over the question of antagonism between pheasants and 
quail. Some agriculturists deplore the activity of the state game depart- 
ment in seeking to increase the number of the former birds and in asking 
farmers to hatch the eggs under hens. 
Heber Keirn, a farmer of Assumption, claims to have certain proof 
that wherever pheasants abound, quail cannot be found. He asserts 
that the larger birds drive away the smaller and destroy their nests and 
eggs. Among others, he cites the case upon his own farm. Quail have 
always been numerous there until the coming of the pheasants. Within 
a short time, he says, the quail disappeared and did not return until the 
pheasants had been driven off. He found that his neighbors report 
the same experience. 
Keirn asserts that the quail are more valuable to the farmer, owing 
to their extermination of noxious insects, particularly chinch bugs, and 
is in favor of protecting the quail twelve months out the year, but wishes 
the season in which pheasants may be killed, lengthened to several 
months. 
Starlings 
Cleveland Plain Dealer, 
May 25, 1924 
S if the lesson of the English sparrow were not conclusive, some 
wrong-headed individual introduced a number of European 
starlings into eastern United States a few years ago. The star- 
ling is a prettier and more interesting bird than the English sparrow. 
But he does not “belong.” Just at present he 1s engaged in conquering 
America, and from present indications he will eventually be far more of 
a pest than the sparrow ever dreamed of being. 
Only a few starlings have reached Ohio, but in many of the eastern 
states they have settled in great numbers and have become a serious 
menace not only to native bird life but also to the agricultural interests. 
English sparrows are ugly, pugnacious, unpleasing little creatures; but 
they have done comparatively little practical damage. It is reported 
that the starlings, which appear in immense flocks after the manner of 
our native blackbirds, are doing a great deal of harm in New England 
by eating young green crops. In addition the starlings make a great 
clatter and chatter which is disagreeable to American ears. 
