It's Raining Birds!

FRANKLIN, N.J. (AP) - U.S. Agriculture Department officials say
residents of Somerset County, New Jersey, should have seen the last
of the starlings dropping out of the sky.
Hundreds of birds fell dead onto roads and lawns over the
weekend after agriculture officials decided to eradicate a flock
that had become a nuisance for a farmer and posed a health threat
to his livestock.
Police and the county health department were notified that the
birds were to be poisoned, but homeowners were not. Many were
startled and alarmed. One local official says "it was raining
birds."
A USDA spokeswoman tells residents the poisoning was closely
monitored and the pesticide used was harmless to people and pets.
She says her agency will try to do a better job of informing the
public in the future.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)