if(substr($_,0,1) eq 'A') { ...

##</code><code>##

Ape added to A
Arg added to A
Beep added to trash!
Circus added to trash!
Ape, Arg
Beep, Circus

##</code><code>##

if(/^A/) { ...

##</code><code>##

...
print "$_ added to A\n";
...
print "$_ added to trash!\n";