6 f HE AU De BON. BU DLV e ree 
“Anting” of Starlings 
By RICHARD BREWER 
ABouT 11:30 a.m. CST, June 4, 1957, I observed the action referred to as 
“anting” in a Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) feeding on a lawn in Murphys- 
boro, Jackson County, Illinois. Two birds of this species were feeding near 
a soft maple (Acer saccharinum), when one picked up a large ant and 
rubbed it on the leading edge of the raised right wing. The bird folded the 
wing against the body, raised it again, and once more rubbed the ant on 
the leading edge and possibly on the dorsal surface. After repeating the 
procedure a third time, the bird walked on, still carrying the ant. I could 
not see whether the ant was eaten or discarded, but the bird resumed feed- 
ing immediately. The whole performance took less than a minute. I col- 
lected several large ants from the area, and these were identified as car- 
penter ants (Camponotus herculeanus) by H. H. Ross, Head of the Section 
of Faunistic Surveys and Insect Identification, Illinois Natural History 
Survey. 
“Anting” by Starlings has been reported several times in Europe, 
Australia, and the U.S. (McAtee, 19388, Auk, 55:98-105; Brackbill, 1948, 
Auk, 65: 66-77). Utilization of Camponotus herculeanus appears not to be 
previously reported, although in one instance (Chisholm, 1944, Ibis, 86: 
389-405) another member of the same genus ('C. consobrinus) was used. 
Bent (1950, U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 197: 206) records a case of Starlings 
“anting” with oil from husks of English walnuts (Juglans regia). 
Department of Zoology, University of Illinois, Champaign 
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1957 Campout Date Changed 
THE J.A.S. FALL CAMPOUT DATE has been changed from Aug. 31 - Sept. 1 
to the week-end of October 12-13, 1957. This supersedes the announcement 
in the June issue of the Bulletin. The new date was preferred by our hosts, 
the members of the Ridgway Bird Club. 
Registration will be Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Headquarters Building, 
north of the intersection of State Route 130 and U.S. Highway 50. Come 
in the morning if you can. Be sure to bring your binoculars, bird guide, and 
hiking clothes. The program for Saturday evening will consist of color 
slides and talks, including a special feature on Spring to Fall entitled ‘““Down 
the Garden Path,” with emphasis on birds. 
Camping is permitted in Red Hills Park, with firewood available. Good 
motels are nearby for those who do not “rough it.” Olney City Park has 
facilities for outdoor cooking. The Olney members have planned some in- 
teresting bird walks. All I.A.S. members and friends are invited to come 
out for fun, frolic, and rejuvenation. 
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