When I first got interested in birds, c.1967, Sparrows were nesting
under a broken tile at the back corner of our old house.(Can't say
species - I wasn't aware of Tree Sparrows those days). I watched the old
birds rushing in and out with caterpillars (result of my attempt at a
kitchen garden). The young were growing up and leaning well out to
demand food - and next thing a pair of Starlings arrived. They slew the
young sparrows, and I think ate them. So we had Starlings instead. The
cock Starling sang from the roof top and presently we had young
Starlings leaning out and calling for food. Next thing, Indian Mynahs!
I found the bodies of the young Starlings thrown out on the ground below
and the mynahs took over the hollow. So we had three nesting attempts
in the same hollow and only one family of young successfully reared from it.
Anthea Fleming
Ivanhoe
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