ARE STARLINGS FRUIT-EATERS ?
[To THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOH.] SIR,—Starlings are great eaters of berries, and may well, there- fore, take it into their heads to devour garden fruit as well, an Mrs. Edmonds, in the Spectator of October 22nd, asserts they do Theblackberry-hedges were fall of them in September ; and yesterday our college porter called my attention to the fact that they are at present very busy with the berries of the Virginia creeper which climbs up the walls of our hall.
If Mrs. Edmonds will consult Professor Newton's edition of Yarrell's "British Birds," Vol. IL, p. 231, she will find that her indictment of the Kent starlings for cherry-pilfering is not a new one. Probably the evil habit is growing on these voracious- birds.—I am, Sir, do, Lincoln College, Oxford, Oct. 22nd. W. WARDE FOWLER.
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