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January 21, 1962 - The StarlingStarlings, in summer (left) and winter (right) plumages Exclusive Sunday Review Sketch by Dennis Puleston of Brookhaven ocus on ? STARLING If this column had been written 75 years ago it surely would never have included the starling in its works. The reason for this is quite simple: there were na starlings on this continent at that The starling was known only to Europe and it is from there it was introduced in 1890 to start its fantastic spread throughout our continent. The first release took place in Central Park where approxi- mately 80 starlings started their new life abroad. From t h is handful of birds, the starling has spread from the Fast coast, where it is most heavily con- centrated, to the Weat coast and from the far North down to Ftorida. Its rapid advance all too well marks its characteristics. Strong, rugged and aggressive with the uncanny ability to adapt itself to almost any environmental situa- tion, makes those who know him reepect him. The starling has been ignored, not only by most birders, but in general by the majority of all the people as well. To most it has about as much appeal as the lowly house sparrow (w h i c h is putting it pretty far down t he ladder of popularity). Few have examined closely the delightful coloring of the starling as he struts about in his speckled win- ter plumage. Likewise, few have ever examined closely his new spring attire of purple and green with the bright new yellow bill that makes him so attractive for the nesting season ahead. It's during this nesting season that we see the tremendous en- ergies of the starling generated. Two or sometimes three broods are produced each year and it is here that the naturalist starts to ibecome concerned. Anyone knowing the rules and regulations set up for the balance in Nature surely can tell the ominous warnings of such a bird when its population has exploded in such a short time. It's the old, old story of man's interference into the ways of Nature. Long ago there was a balance on our continent. Today the results of man's ,peddling are obvious everywhere. Typical exampies of this are the introduction of the Japanese beetle, carp, water hyacinth, gyps - sy moth and a host of others including the starling. It is to you who have not been aware of this situation, that this article is directed. Most of us know that" his bird builds its nest in crevices of all ature by- sorts. Being a bird that naturally lives close to man it takes up residence in every nook and cran- ny possible. And even now, the house sparrow feels the pressure of this house robber. When this area becomes sat- urated the starling starts to move away from man's dwell- ing until now it has reached the far depths of the woods arii extremes of the seashore. In these areas, the aggressive starling seeks out the nesting cavities of the local birds. The flicker, woodpecker, n u t- hatch, bluebird, crested flycatch- er, sparrow hawk, wren, swallow, martin and many others a r e forced out to other nesting sights. I have even seen the starling nesting 'along the rugged coast of the St Lawrence River where it was actually building in the crevices among the rocky cliffs. There is no spot that the starling will hesitate to inhabit with the possible exception of the owl's unfriendly domain. With this housing problem be- fore us let's consider some of its far - reaching effects. The native bi'jas in the area move out like conquered people from an invading amy. From then on what takes place of the work these birds perform- ed? What will control the insects, the weeds, and the many other items that go into balancing Na- ture's delicate ways? Remember, there are no na- tural enemies to curtail these invaders. There has not been enough time in the cycle to mobilize and build up forces to repel them. Like all invading armies they must be fed and like the. armies of old this means great suffering to the populace. Food supplies that w o u l d otherwise have provided ade- quate food for the area no longer exist and shortages are bound to crop up with their devastating effects on all. So productive the starling has become and so gregarious in his nature, that we here on L on g I s l a n d are now witnessing tre- mendous flocks of starlings dar- ing the winter months. The problem has grown so acute and the food supply so limited that the bird has sought out every possible cache of food available. Duck growers are lit - erelly being invaded by these swarms of hungry birds arid their loss runs into the thousands of dollars. Some growers have become so desperate that they have de- clared war on this plunderer by poisoning his food. Few people realize the size of these flocks. I have wit- Paul Stoutenburgh nessed them coming to 1roost in New Suffolk and in South- ampton by the t e n s of thou- sands. One evening not long ago a group of us witnessed this sight north of Southampton. It w a s about a half an hour before dark when we arrived at the pines they were roosting 'in. During that time a steady stream poured in to the roost. Outside the pines thousands milled around till the sky was literally b l a c k with starlings. Some would light in the bare trees along the edge and' one could see the burdened limbs sag with- the weight of hundreds of birds. On a signal they would rise, letting the branches spring into position only to await the pres- sure's of i new group. It re- minded one of a giant locust invasion and only seeing this spectacular sight coudd you be- lieve it. It is after witnessing .s a c h gigantic flocks that one becomes aware of this tremendous pro- blem. And yet there 'is good to be said about all phases of Na- ture. Actual studies of the eating habits prove, beyond a doubt, that much good is being done by this naturalized citizen. To those who have seen the harm of the starling, this will never be admitted and yet others who have a place in their hearts for all living things will always hold a ray of hope that Nature will once again be able to align her forces for a better world. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Roy Latham reports: Orient — January 10-14 Towhee Orient — January 11 Short -eared Owl Ipswich Sparrow Orient — January 13 Long - eared Owl Evening Grosbeak L R Ernest report's: Shinnecock — January 13 Short -eared Owls (3) Mecox —January 14 Snowy Owl Hay Ground -- January 14 Kingfisher Black- crowned Night Heron Southampton — January 14 Flicker Shinnecock Inlet — January 13 SEAL Dennis Puleston reports: Brookhaven — January 14 Bald Eagles (2) Long -eared Owls (5) Short -eared Owls (3) American Bittern Longbilled Marsh Wren Peter Puleston reports: Brookhaven — January 17 King Rail Please send all comments and field observations to Paul Stoutenr burgh, Bay Avenue, Box 105, RD No 1, Cutchogue, New York.