16 APRIL 1988, Page 27

Charm of starlings

Sir: P. J. Kavanagh (Life and letters, 13 February) writes as charmingly as ever about seeing the same birds as Shakespeare. Did he know that the Amer- icans introduced the starling to America because they wanted to have every bird that Shakespeare ever mentioned? They have regretted it ever since.

Quentin Crewe

Le Grand Banc, 04110 Oppedette, France