The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-02-11
Sound Advice from Naturalist
Perkins.
NOT GOOD FOR THESE ISLANDS.
May Prove Worse Than Mynahs.
Conditions of the Country Not
Suitable-Would Spread Lantana.


L. Perkins, the English naturalist
to the ADVERTISER is not without
interest to the people of Honolulu
who want to import the hooking
bird
EDITOR ADVERTISER 1t has lately
been proposed to briug 10 the island.
another foreign bird-the American
hooking bird-for the sake of its fine
singing powers, 1t is sincerely TO be
hoped that neither this nor any Other
species of foreign Passerine birds viii
be turned out here, since their subse-
quent behavior under totally changed
conditions is purely enigmatical.
1t is true no harm may follow the
introduction possibly, even, some
good; but, more likely, the very oppo.
site will be the result. The food of the
bird soon to arrive here is of two kinds,
vegetable and ami mai, e, berries and
insects. Of the former, the islands
produce little or nothing in inhabited
districts, save lantana, which would
then have new agent IN spreading ii
should the birds take kindly to its
berries, and the various kinds of cul-
tivated fruits, which might not at first
be begrudged for the sake of the birds
song. Should it multiply, as the my
nah has done, there would soon be a
different tale to tell.
AS to the destruction of insects, the
myriads of mynahs are already more
than enough TO hold these in check,
for it is wildly improbable that the
new conner will attack species that
this omniverous bird rejects. The
nocturnal Japanese bug is not likely
to be affected by it to any great ex-
tent; it is much more likely TO destroy
some OF the useful inconspicuous spe-
cies introduced by Mr.. Koebele, which
are active in the daylight. Whether
any species should be introduced for
purely aesthetic purposes il very
doubtful when the damage that may
ensue Is obvious, not to mention that
totally unforeseen harm may arise.
But there are other reasons quite
apart from the utilitarian point of
view, for excluding this and other
birds of like nature, namely, the
effect likely TO be produced on the
native fauna. That any evil effect
will follow would seem improbable TO
any one who has not given any atten-
ton to such questions, on the ground
that no apparent ill-results have fol-
lowed the introduction of this bird
into new lOcalitie. in America. But
the cases are utterly different. On
lands the struggle for ex-
istence is very severe, owing to the
variety of ioIms inhabiting them On
oceo Me is ands it is infinitely less so,
on account of the naturally limited
fauna. For this reason the latter ex-
hibit a large number of simple or
primitive creatures; the former, on
the contrary, creatures of high spe-
for all kinds of conditions
of lie, AID it is therefore natural that
If these be introduced into the homes
of the simpler i.land forms, the
weaker will soon go 10 the wall. TOT
large extent this has already hap
pened here, for now there is almost no
native fauna left on the lowlapds, the
native species being driven further
and further back up the mountains as
the foreign ones advance, and these
latter, mostly Injurious, now replace
the old, harmless native species. The
ord in question will affect the insect
fauna directly and the birds Indirect
y; the myDah affects both Directly,
or | have seen it attacking adult
native birds and also destroying the
ioung in the pest.
The insect fauna of the islands in its
natural state is most beautifully regu-
ated, all being kept in check by the
birds, aud some of the species, like the
Flights, by other insect parasites. In
reduce such a disturbing element as
he hooking bird is likely to be, and
me cannot foresee bat the results |
will he. The food supply suitable for
he native birds, except perhaps in |
he case of a few which live on the |
honey of flowers, is, after all, limited. |
Already they have to contend with |
Introduced species, which are grow
ng more and more abundant. The |
nynah in few years is likely to out
lumber all the specimens of all the |
pecies of native birds together; and |
hould the hooking bird increase as
his has done, owing to its food being
learly the same as that of the major
ty of Hawaiian species, a still more
erious aspect of the natural condi |
ions may be expected.
How close is the connection between |
Tery different animals and between
auna and fora was playfully shown
~ Darwin in his great work. Old |
maids, he said, have a fondness for |
;eeping number of cats; cats kill |
treat numbers of field mice, which |
argely destroy tue Desrs of bun Bile
'ees-the latter are necessary for fer
ilizing the flower of the red clover,
md therefore the number of old maids
II district may be said to infiueoc4
he clover crop.
The avi fauna of Hawaii is absolute
y unique. OF over fifty species of
'asserine birds, not Que is known from
elsewhere. The majority, indeed, are
% peculiar that they form distinct
amily, known only from this group.
\ mum Der OF species are already ex
met, and others are likely to soon be
ome so, and who would wish To has
en- the day of the last native bird?
low many residents of Honolulu sre
reasonably aware of the four native
'irds on the hills Immediately behind
he city, 30 close, indeed, that from
heir haunts it is in full view?
Yet one of these has bright crimson
'iumage, another is often so tame
bat 1t can be almost caught IN the