The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-24
FRIENDS OR PESTS?
Barr Interesting tory of Waterburys Vexing Problem The Sang Reveals
 EnIghtening Background of Imported Birds

seriously felt their absence in dis- tant parts of the region"
 Quoting from American Birds "The increase and spread of the starling is due to its fecundity and it's general fitness for the battle of life. It often has two broods in America, as 1t has in Europe. The starling's physical fitness for the struggle for supremacy is seen ct once on an examination of its anat- omy. It is a very hardy, muscular, and powerful bird. It has the physi- cal characteristics of the crow. It is exceedingly tough and wiry, and the bill, its principal weapon of de- fense and offense, is superior In shape to that of the crow. It is nearly straight, long and heavy, tapering, and nearly as keen as Q meat ax, while the skull that backs 1t is almost as strong as that of a woodpecker. Mentally the starling is superior to the sparrow, and while brave and active in the face of any foe that 1t can master, 1t lively fearless where 1t is unmo- shows the acme of caution and in- telligence in its relations with man or any other creature too power- full to master. While it is compare lively fearless wher let is unmo- tested, 1t IS always on guard. Its alarm note is Q harsh, rasping low pitched call. s
 Its insect-eating habits, its beauty, and it's cheery notes have already made 1t many strong friends in this country who will protect it stoutly; and this protection, together with the birds ability to take care of 1t. self and keep out of danger, pre- cludes all possibility of It's exter- imitation here if 1t proves undesir- able"
 One of the best observation places in the United States from which to study the habits of the Startling, is the hurricane deck (commonly known as the 'roof) of the Central YMCA building of Waterbury, Conn.
 From this vantage point may be seen at close range not only double- ten thousand of these brave and wonderful little creatures in the privacy of their dormltory in the hospitible branches of the grand old elms of Waterbury green, but may also be witnessed the thrilling spectacle of the sunrise departure for the days work and the evening return for the nights rest. '7
 For long time . group of YMCA Dorm residents who are known as the Hurricane Deck club have been watching the doings of our iittle ileishbors, the Starlings, with ever increasing wonder and admiration and have made some idiscoyeries about them that we have not seen in the books. '. " " '
 For instance, one evening las, September we learned that the etarlings feel the same as we hu- mans do about q glorious sunset Black clouds on the western horizon had hidden the sun and caused Q premature darkness as great nockE of the birds were converging from the four points of the compass and settling down for the night In theft 'dormitory' in the elnis before us We stood watching their perform. ances- wondering how they can fly 50 swiftly in such close formation without pumping into each other and why they prefer to sleep in the center of Q noisy city rather than out in the woods-and just as we heard them softly chirping theil 'good-nights' and pleasant dreams and all was quiet---just then, Old Sol peeked through the black clouds with Q broad grin that transfigured the westarn sky into Q magnificent color spectacle men and birdf and angels to behold. Of course we humans were thrilled but our OK. precision was feeble compared with the reaction Of the starlings. Tn. simultaneously they jumped out oi bed and joyously mounted the sky in one immense flock of at least ten thousand, end with the wide heavens for their stage and the gold and crimson clouds for their seen. cry they put on an exhibition soi Skin and adoratlon that inalkei man strawdry shows look cheap An. deed. '
 (After Che above article had
 been written and turned in to the
 sAltar Hahn HsaFr received Q sur. < prisc midnight call from three
 husIky etarllngs in his room lIl Che
 \, M. 70. A. Dorm. The birds ell- tared through an open window
 alla prolonged their visit over the
 wssk.snd, furn!shing q! . i. sIs: .s..s nart