The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-08
WITHDRAW PROTECTION
OF EUROPEAN Startling
Department Of Agriculture Finds I'm
ported Bird Useful in Certain Par
ticulars, but Pest to orchardists
and Enemy of Native Birds

Washington, d. O., Dec. Sin its
annual report for the last fiscal year,
the Bureau of Biological Survey of the
U. s. Department of Agriculture re-
ports as follows on the European star
ling:
introduced into the United States
nearly 25 years ago, the European
starting has gradually extended it's
range from New York City, and now
it is found in the neighboring States
of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Dur
ing its migrations in search of food it
ranges much farther from the original
center and occurs in considerable num-
bers as far south even as the District
of Columbia.
"The starting is markedly insec-
tivorous, especially in summer, and
preys upon many noxious varieties. In
this respect it is to be classed among
our useful birds. So far as is known,
it has not proved destructive to grain
crops, but it is known to be very fond
of small fruits, and as it associates in
large fiocks it is likely to become a
pest to the orchardist. In addition, it
prefers tree cavities, boxes, or recesses
in buildings for nesting sites and thus
is brought into direct competition with
certain of the useful native birds, more
particularly the bluebird, purple mar
tin, white-bellied swallow, house wren
and flicker.
'The bird is steadily extending it's
territory, and it will be wise to with
draw all protection from it, as has al
ready been done in Connecticut, New
Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania,
including the center of its abundance,
with view of checking its increase
and spread. The shipment of these
birds from one State to. another has
been prohibited under heavy penalty by
act of Congress. Under ordinary circum-
stances, even after all protection is
withdrawn, the bird will probably prove
to be capable of taking care of itself
That ultimately it will spread over a
large part of the United States is
highly probable.
In addition to studying the star
ling, the Biological Survey studied the
economic status of many other birds,
largely through the method of analyz-
ing the food in their stomachs to deter
mine whether their feeding habits were
helpful or destructive to agriculture.
As result of this study, II birds were
added to the lists of bird enemies of
the boil weevil, making a total of Ga
thus far discovered.
In the matter of the alfalfa wee.
vii, 40 species of birds as we'll as frogs.
toads and the salamander were found
to feed upon this beetle The most
active enemies of the weevil among the
birds are the Brewer blackbird, the
western meadowlark, the valley quail,
and the English sparrow. OF verte-
brate enemies other than birds, the
Rocky Mountain toad renders good
service in destroying breeding adult in.
seets in spring and larvae later in the
year.
4 An examination of the stomachs
OF 500 birds seems to indicate that
birds are of no value as enemies of the
full-grown range caterpillars. Mammals,
particularly the skunk, seem to be the
important enemies of this pest.
In addition, the Bureau made in
vestigations of the economic relation
ships of the birds of Porto Rico and.
IN cooperation with the Smithsonian
Institution, studied the birds of Pan
anna.
Study was given also to methods
of attracting birds and encouraging 9
them to build nests and live about hu-
man habitations. A Farmers Bulletin
telling how to build attractive bird
houses and attract birds in other ways,
Is now in course of preparation.
The Bureau also has given much
attention to study of bird migration,
and is completing bird census.
During the year permits were is
sued for importing 475,392 birds,
among which were 36S,676 canaries,
st, $50 partridges and 4,14S pheasants.
There was noticeable increase in the
importation of partridges, as a number
OF States, including Iowa and Oregon.
are experimenting in the introduction
OF these game birds for restocking pur-
poses"