I thought it was very kind. Although, the value of our house has probably dropped with the duct tape holding the porch column together.

I told R he should be very careful with the drill and saw and ladder. I would be very angry if he got hurt rescuing this bird.

I limit it to flies and fleas mostly. Though weeds can bring out the killer in me, too.

You did the right thing. A porch post decapitation device is not among the authorized weapons for hunting starling (which qualify as small game): (link...)

I couldn't kill the damned thing either but I wish I could afford to, as my eight-year-old neighbor said about his kittens, have it "nayed and speutered" because there is the parent of dozens of the pests.

I know they eat a lot of insects but they seem to defy the laws of nature by dropping more tonnage than they eat.

Wearybottom Associates

Being a liberal can be a curse, I know. I scoop up insects and take 'em outside. I know other fates await them there, but heh...

I thought it was very kind.

Aawww.

I limit it to flies and fleas mostly.

Well, there are those. And ticks, silverfish, 'squiters, etc. The scary ones. Mostly it's the crickets and g-daddy long legs that get a second chance.

if you would send me the specifications I will gladly create a one-of-a-kind commemorative plaque for said column. Something tasteful perhaps done in shades of russet and sage green...

If anything other than fleas get killed in my house, it is the work of one RufusKitty. Yesterday, he caught a mouse. Played with the little baby for an hour before bringing it into the living room and laying it at my feet as I worked. I swept it up in a dustpan and threw it outside. Then RK was in a snit for another hour because I'd rejected his love offering.

Pam Strickland

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut