BOOKS AND STARLINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4211, 18 September 1874, Page 3

BOOKS AND STARLINGS.

The rook (Corvue frugilegus) is rather ominous—is so associated with mankind, whose neighbourhood he greatly affects, that we can hardly look upou'him in auy other light than that of a friend ; and such indeed he is, take him for all in all. That ho exacts his toll of corn from the farmer there can be no doubt ; and a newly-sown field should be watched ; hut ho amply repays for the seed which he takes by the destruction of the wireworm and the larre of various beetles, more especially that of the cockchafer {Melolmthii vulgaris). It is in search of these, and not earthworms, that lie. follows the plough. Those -who would wish to know something about the ravages of insects, in the wheat-fields should road the sixth letter iu Messrs. Kirby and Spence’s admirable Entomology. The farmer’s deadliest foes are frequently those who lie buried iu the soil, and it is to the destruction of these that Mr. Book applies himself. I have no doubt that he and his numerous friends were pursuing their entomological researches when 1 first saw them from my study windows, as the wheat had grown too much for them fit) he searching for the com. But Mr. Book sometimes destroys.a good deal of green corn in his investigations. There are some crops, however, to which, ho is more mischievous than useful. I saw a field of peas last summer entirely destroyed by him, and I regret to add that the work of destruction took place on a Sunday. ■ Yet I think it will-be generally admitted that wc must '.number him amongst the farmer’s friends. The other members of the family of Corrida! arc not found iu sufficient numbers—in England at least—to be formidable. The carrion crow (Corvtis curonc) is said to be dangerous where sheep arc, as it frequently attacks the lambs ; but 1 cannot speak from personal experience. And so, again, the hooded or Boyston crow (Cornut cornix), which is frequently found on our Blankshiro downs, has a similar evil propensities of the magpie (Pica caudata or Cor ms idea) ono need hardly speak, hut he is an enemy to the husbandman and preserver of game. Nothing comes amiss to him; young poultry, eggs, young lambs, and even weakly slicep will lie attack by plucking out their eyes, leverets, and young rabbits, and feathered game, and, when nothing else can ho got, grain and fruit. Only less destructive is the common jay (Gar, -ulus glandaaius), from bis beautiful plumage one of the handsomest of British birds. He is a sad enemy to gardeners, and has a peculiar penchant for cherries and peas. However, the jay is chiefly confined, to woodland districts, and we may leave him to the tender mercies of the gamekeeper and gardener. We often see accompanying the rooks large flocks of starlings (Sitinivs vulgaris), and as they are my very especial friends, X may bo permitted to indulge iu a few remarks in their favour. The starling is'a general favourite, and is a handsome, sprightly, and intelligent little felloiv. I have spoken elsewhere of his vocal and imitative powers, and have nothing to add to his amiable qualities. Few birds are so' useful to the farmer as starlings. Their food almost entirely consists of insects, worms, and snails, and iu pursuit of these they may be seen either in the ploughed lauds or meadows hurrying about. From watching them when feeding their young, I have been astonished at the number of grubs and caterpillars which they destroy. In the cherry season, it is true, they are somewhat mischievous, but they may bo easily scared away by firing- off a gun—not, if you please, shooting one and maiming several. Starlings rarely cat grain, at least bp any appreciable extent.— Churchman’s Shilling Magazine.