"Starlings were very much hated in those days for driving away more desirable songbirds," says dr. bill.

Starlings were very much hated in the dorm I inhabited as a college freshman. Starlings massed in the ivy covering the building's walls, and their continuous cawing racket went on for hours, deep into the night, loud enough to prevent sleep. Worse than a neighbor with a loud stereo. Abominable birds.

The problem has since been solved in the only way found feasible: the ivy has been removed.

This was at Yale. Did you Hahvahdites have the same experience 'midst your ivy-covered walls, dr. bill?