Evening star., 1948-03-20
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDell

Lear Sir:
Il am an admirer of the startling, but some
OF my friends are not, and one of them asserts
heatedly that starlings do not migrate as all
self-respecting birds should
What can I say to him?
Il believe he Is in error, but am not sure
and would like to have your opinion I know
You are fair, and have no axes to grind.
Il like starlings because they are adventur-
ous reliant able, marvellous aviators and
helpers OF bird people
I see no particular reason for the hue and
cry against them, though I must admit, in
all fairness, that when they descend upon one
by the hundreds, that alters the matter to
some extent. Yea man!
Sincerely, E. de M"
The belief that starlings follow no migratory
routes is in error.
Not all Of them do as yet and that, of
course, is where the idea came from.
These big birds are in the process, and have
been ever since they were brought here, of
building up wholly new migratory routes in
the New World.
That they have done so to the extent they
have is regarded by ornithologists as very
great accomplishment.
We have here both the migratory sort and
the "stay put" ones.
The migrating starlings that is those speci-
mems that have made new migratory lanes
for themselves, go to Canada and the far West
in the spring, and return in the fall.
Since they are comparatively new to this
country, they have not as yet worked out
ssuch clean-cut rules and regulations as are
known to such migrators as the warblers.
Starlings were brought here-against their
will-in 1890. Eighty birds were released in
Central Park, New York, on March of that
year. Forty more were released on April 25,
1891.
Other importations were set free, 50 that
by 1908 the birds were beginning to make their
way.
1t was only when the starlings began to
roost en- masse on public buildings, and seek
shelter in the great cattle barns of the West,
that they began to come into public disfavor.
Actually, the startling is handsome bird, as
birds go, despite its waddling walk and stubby
tail.
1t is muscular, hardy and powerful, extremely
able to take care of itself. Experts say it has
a superior bill to that Of the crow, with neck
almost on \ par with that Of the woodpecker.
1t is far more intelligent than the common
sparrow, brave and active. but wary when
attacked, especially by man.
Experts believe that 1t cannot be extermi-
mated, and that those who think 1t can be
liquidated simply do not understand this birds
ability
They point out that If freedom were given
to shoot them, other birds of black hue, in
Guiding the meadowlarks and Others would be
among the first to be killed
Some of our starlings remain here the year
around.
This puts them in very good class, along
with the cardinals, blue jays, titmice, chick
adees, ite-breasted nuthatches-and common
sparrows.
1t is nothing against bird that 1t does
not migrate.
Not all of them do by any means. Migra-
ton is believed to be more the result of light
than Of heat. Probably other factors, as yet
unknown, play part.
One may think bird shows superior sense,
in a way, by sticking 1t out where he lives
most of the time. He simply refuses to let
climate influence him. In this he classes him.
self with mankind, or at least part of man
kind people who since the nomad days, have
mastered climatic conditions, not run from
them
We may feel that oldsters-and others
who hasten South at the first touch of cold
and hurry North at the first stirring of sum-
mer, are taking a backward step in the pro-
gress of the race.
American starlings are as yet not quite sure
of themselves for they have been here not
very long, and so have not quite all become
migratory, but within the next half century
unless Uncle Joe blows us all to bits-they
probably will. Even If the administration
allows that sad event to happen. some old
starlings probably will be left In the stunted
trees, to whistle down at the ruins.