The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-14
MAY LIFT BAN ON
KILLING STARLINGS
Jersey Authorities Consider
This Alien as Objectionable
as English Sparrow.
ARE IN THIS STATE. TOO

The war against the European star
ling. a bird which lids fair to become
even a greater pest than the English
sparrow, also an alien. has received n
new impetus. The Bureau OF Biological
Survey of the Department of Agriculture
has often recommended that the protec-
ton afforded the birds In the various
States be withdrawn. A few days ago
two residents of Montclair, n. j.. OBJ
tanned permits from the State Fish and
Game Commission to shoot starlings
annoying them, and this action may
lead to the abolition OF the Jersey state
law which protects the birds in that
part of the country.
Starlings have gone az far north In
this State as Albany, and with the APP
proach OF winter, their nesting time, II
Is probable that similar steps may be
taken against them here. Although the
feeds on insects, 1t is a veritable fruit
pilferer. and In nest building 1t COM
petes with useful native birds. In the
cities the starlings are perhaps a greater
pest thar in the country, for their nest
ing In fine shade trees sometimes makes
streets look like chicken yards.
Few ornithologSsts hold that the star
lings are desirable aliens. The birds were
imported from Europe about twenty-five
years z and their spread throughout
nearby States especially was rapid. Fruit
growers early branded Q as pests
and spoilers of crops. The Department
OF Agriculture studied the birds, and as
a result the shipment Of the species
from State TO State was prohibited Under
heavy penalty.
Four years ago. when the visits OF
the starring fiocks first became recog-
nized in Montclair as a public nuisance,
residents appealed TO the Shade Tree
Commission. which appointed a man to
shoot the birds. Agents OF the State
Fish and Game Commission promptly
arrested the man. who wac In turn fined
800 for violating the game laws. The
higher courts In the State RENTED the
fine. however. and Montclair suffered
the starlings In silence until this a
| tunm. Two years ago a bill was In
PRODUCED in the State Legislature to
! rid the State OF the starlings. but 1t did
not pass. Another attempt Is to be
Hlduts NntdnW hlit d tlit pitsi
| dent OF the Montclair club. and w. w
Myers are prepared to kill as many OF
the birds as they can. And this too In
spite OF the fact that Sanctuary" the
bird masque. is to be played in Mont
clair on October 8.
The starting is about the size of a
thrush. Vt a distance 1t appears black,
but on nearer view Its plumage looks
shot with bright purple, green and steel
blue. 1t IL known as a voracious In
secticide. Its habits are most irreg-
ular and erratic.
The starlings are more OF a pest
than the English sparrow" SID &. Will
lam Decide. bird curator OF the Bronx
Zoo. Unlike the sparrows they do not
keep to the cities and populated dis
tricts. but wander aield and modest and
destroy our native birds. They may b,
seen hereabout by the thousands
through the winter. They drive away
the meadowlark and the redwing black
bird. They are almost az prolific as tn,
English sparrow. are extremely vora'
cious. dig up seeds and damage crops
"~Ornithologists said when the birds
were brought over from Europe" com,
mented DR.. William T. H~ornaday. di'
rector OF the Bronx Zoo. that they
would prove as much a nuisance as tn,
sparrow. The ornithologists are hear
ing something about the birds thes,
days and people In general want e
know about them. They want to know
what kind OF birds are being dumped
on us from other countries. The star,
Ling Is a kind OF thickset blackbipi with
a short tail. II will sometimes drive q
whole family OF ~woodpeckers out OF II.
hole and establish itself In it"