Starlings Wintering in Southern Texas
Starlings Wintering in Southern Texas.-Previous reports of the Starling (Sturnzts tadgads) have recorded its spreading to new localities and indicated increases in numbers in New Mexico. and Texas (Condor, 42, 1940:86; 43, 1941:197; 44, 1942:182; 45, 1943:161).
During the past winter, counts were made of flocks of Starlings when they happened to be noted adjacent to roadways on various occasions in Jim Wells and Nueces counties, Texas. No special effort was made to observe these birds and the counts evidently represent only a small portion of the total number of Starlings present. The counts were as follows:
December 8, 1944 - Alice, Texas 18
January 19, 1945-Alice to Corpus Christi, Texas (4 flocks of 100, 25, 40, 230) 415
January 30, 1945-Near Agua Dulce, Texas 300
January 30, 1945-Agua Dulce to Bishop, Texas (4 flocks of 600,275, 400, 70) 1,345
February 2, 1945-7 miles northeast of Alice 200
February 3, 1945-2 miles north of Alice 25
February 6, 1945-None noted on isolated ranch or vicinity in brushy range country
10 miles northwest of San Diego, Texas
February 7, 1945-S miles northwest of Bishop .with Boat-tailed Grackles and blackbirds 300
February 16, 1945-Near Bishop 20
March 2, 1945-2 miles east of Bluntzer, Texas 2
Total 2,625
No Starlings were noted at any of the above places after March 2 and apparently these birds were only winter visitants as it was evident they had gone elsewhere for the breeding season. Size of future populations and their effects on production of sorghums for grain in this area will be of interest and details should be recorded.-CLARENCE A. SOOTER, Alice, Texas, June 6, 1945.
