FARMING NOTES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3140, 23 October 1922, Page 8

FARMING NOTES.

THE STARLING TROUBLE. A problem which becomes steadily of greater moment to the farmer is that of reducing the losses caused by starlings. Owing to the absence of natural enemies and to the semi-domestic habits of these birds, they thrive where our own birds disappear. Nor, apparently is this state of things peculiar to Australia. According to the latest reports from Great Britain, enormous swarms of starlings lly over from the. continent of Europe into England and Scotland, and) the pest is becoming so serious that at Christmas time nurserymen are unable to collect any holly, mislotoe, or other berries on account of these birds eating them all. The birds are also a pest uf fruit and some of the grain crops. Mr W. W. Kroggatl, the New South Wales Government Entomologist, says: “The combat with starlings would appear to be essentially a task calling for co-opera-tion, among farmers themselves if flic effort is to be crowned with success. In the first place all houses should bo made starling proof, for it is in their roofs that the greatest percentage of the starlings is bred. The only other means of dealing with the pest arc shooting and poisoning, and whichever of these may be favored should be carried out on systematic and concerted lines if it is to have an appreciable effect.