124. STARLINGS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 16

124. STARLINGS IN AUSTRALIA.

Experiences with imported birds and beasts in Australia, generally have been so discouraging, that acclimatisation has eomo into disfavour as a mistake, and the habits and fertility of certain species in their .own country, seem unsatisfactory pledges for their proceedings m a new land. Of this the rabbit, sparrow, and starling are three instances. Of the rabbit and sparrow, we know quite a lot ourselves, but .it present £he' starling in New Zealand does far more good than harm, and wilt continue to do 60 if a means can be devised for keeping their number within bounds.

It goes almost without isaying that when the starling was introduced into Australia it was not expected to become a pest. Its friends chimed that it was a handsome bird, chiefly insectivorous in its habits, and so besides being highly desirable for itself, it would serve a very useful purpose in destroying grubs. Then ihn starlings wefe liberated, and bidden to • make 6hort work of all insects; which for a time they did. Afterwards word came from grape-growers and orchardists that a strange bird was working havoc among their fruit, and soon the offenders were identified as the English starlings. Into Victoria they came first about fiteen years ago, and now they exist there -'n immense flocks.' On our own Ashhurton Plains there is no doubt the starlings have devoured millions of grass grubs, and 60 lessened that pest; but in the intervals of their activity they find space for the upraising of at least three families a year; until nowadays a flock of a few thousand starlings is by no means rare. Otherwise they like a diet of cherries better than anything else, and are trying to like apples equally well: so it is quite possible that soon head-money will be paid out for them as readily as for a blackbird or thrush.