POINTS ABOUT STARLINGS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 14 October 1911, Page 15

POINTS ABOUT STARLINGS.

1 HOW THEY KILL MANUKA. An interesting little story, tho central figure of which is tho starling, is supplied to the Wairarapa "Times" by its tipper Opaki correspondent. Tho story runs as under: "After au absence of nearly two years tho flock of starlings so well known to this district have returned. During their absence last year tho grass grub was in evidence—the first time for many years—but farmers here and in adjoining districts should rest assured that this year neither the grass grub nor the caterpillar will trouble them. These birds collect towards evening and so vast is the mob and so great the amount of country they cover that one really has to seo them collected to realise the amount of good they must do. "Each year these birds select a new place in which to roost, but it is always in manuka, and as each patch is vacated—it usually comprises from two to three acres—tho manuka dies, and a sward of grass soon grows under it, and it is eras* unequalled for miles around. "Tho present rookery is being watched with interest, and settlers are wondering if the healthy crop of scrub which covers tho stony plains is to be entirely wiped out by these interesting little birds."