Evening star., 1936-11-13

Yet 1t Is hardy, tough bird. one which
evidently needs no such refinements.
Why does it seek them, then? Because
1t likes 'em! This is human sort Of
bird, one which knows what 1t likes and
looks for it, unmindful Of the opinion Of
others, including man.
Such actions are very human, are they
not? But this is an essentially human
bird in more ways than one not only In
its love for herding together in large
cities. 1t Is said that London suffers
from starlings as much as Washington,
which some will think serves that great
city right since all of our starlings are
the result OF several pairs sent to New
York in 1890.
The European startling, Sturnus Vul-
garis, is found in Europe, Asia and India.
Accounts generally agree that their
flights are fetching. their simultaneous
turns IN the air being very remarkable.
The bird is about the size of a thrush.
but appears very much larger, owing to
its thick body and very short tail.
Its coloring is really very beautiful,
black CLOSED with purple, green and
steei-blue.
It nests in holes in trees, when it can
find them, but almost any place when it
can't. One Of the severest counts against
the starting is that it tends to Y'rp the
nesting places OF other birds.
The eggs are usually four to seven, Of
pale blue green color.
1t Is said that the young become very
noisy as they become older, a perfectly
natural thing, indeed.
Watch for the starlings in their fights
about the city and see fine sample OF
the perfect rectitude and insouciance
OF the movements of animals"
Flights OF wild ducks are pictured for
us on Christmas cards, but really the
movement OF starlings would be just as
fetching. 1t has to be seen to be sp-
preciated. No doubt thousands OF per-
sons, idly looking at nothing. see them
and do not realize that they are starlings.
Most Of us have habit Of deprecsting
what others deprecate. and few birds in
recent years have suffered so much AZ
the starting in this respect. Yet as time
passes the good points OF these birds are
being brought to the fore. There is every
indication that in time much Of the III
will which has been heaped upon them IN
the past five or six years will be lifted.
and people everywhere will stop talking
ABOUT tnem.
Evidence is being massed to show that
the startling does a great deal more good
by devouring caterpillars and other forms
Of insect life than it ever does Ill.
Keep an eye opened for the fights
mentioned. watch something thrilling at
no cost. 1t is an amazing sight. fairly
viewed. If the watcher forgets all the
things said against these natural aviators
and joins in the spirit of the flying.
What are these flights?
There can be little doubt what the
Starlings are up to-they are seeking
places to feed, They have their bright
eyes wide open and are on the lookout
for feeding stationsi
They are not going to be disappointed.
however. If persons interested in birds will
remember their delights-bread, meat
and salmon. Provide for the seed eaters
and let the starlings forage for them
selves, which they are capable enough
Of doing.
They will sample the seeds and grains
from time to time, but will not eat much,
and in time will leave the feeding sta
tions for those places where breadcrumbs
are put out in abundance