ON THE INCREASE OF THE STARLING AND THE HAWFINCH.
By H.E. Howard, F.Z.S.
That an increased population must very considerably affect the life-history of many of the birds of this country is a fact which. I think, is apparent to all who take an interest in the avifauna of Great Britain. To determine what changes are in progress at the present moment is, however, no easy matter; but still. I think, there are some which can be readily fathomed.
As amongst all animals, so amongst birds, the survival of the fittest plays the most important part in the formation of their history; that is to say, certain species will increase, others will decrease; partly because their habits are not adapted to the changes brought about by civilization, partly as a direct result of the growth of some stronger and opposing species. There is too great a tendency at the present time to seize upon the fact of the decrease of a certain species, and to exaggerate it into a proof that the birds of this country are in a bad way; and, as a rule, the cause is directly attributed to human agency. This tendency—due to what I might term a too superficial observation, combined with the fact that it is far more difficult to determine an increase than a decrease in a certain species—is, to my mind, a great pity, as it is calculated to diminish that scientific observation which, carried on at all seasons of the year, can alone give an insight into those problems of ornithology which the naturalist is constantly called upon to investigate.
The real changes that are in progress are therefore apt to be overlooked, and their effect on the history of certain birds of this country does not appear to be fully appreciated.
In this article I propose to deal with two species that are increasing, with results that, from my own observations, appear likely to accrue. The first of these is the Starling, a bird which probably possesses an energetic force to a greater degree than any
