The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-07-02
new SONG BIRDS
Com. Marsden Introduces
Mocking Birds.
SIX Turned Loose Yesterday.
Gift OF c. r. Pfluger of
Portland.

Hon. Joseph Marsden, Commissions
Of Agriculture, returned to Honolulu
by the Mariposa yesterday after al
absence Of three months which h,
divided among the cities of the Sound
in Portland, Oregon, and in Californi;
health resorts. Mr. Marsden left her,
in rather bad health but returns en-
tirely improved and looking exceed
ingly well
While in Portland, Mr.. Marsden
visited c. F. Pfuger, a former resident
OF the Hawaiian Islands and a
gentleman greatly interested in orni-
thology. II was he who in 1892
introduced the Mocking bird into Ore
gon- Impressed with the favorable
ness OF this climate for these birds
Mr.. Phuger presented to Mr.. Marsden
six birds which he requested to be set
free in the grounds around Queen S
hospital With very careful attention
on the voyage down the birds reached
here safely. They were kept in a cage
during the day in Mr.. Marsden's office
and charmed the employees in the
Judiciary Building with their beautiful
singing In the afternoon, the cage
was taken to the hospital and the
birds given their freedom.
From the experience of Mr.. Pfuger
in Portland. where, he says. the birds
began mating the year they were intro
duced there it seems no doubt that
there will be a noticeable increase in
the number Of Mocking birds in Ho-
nolulu next Spring.
The food of the Mocking bird con-
sists OF all kinds Of flying and creeping
insects except the lady bird, Mr.
Pfuger assured Mr.. Marsden that
something in the flavor of a good ripe
lady bird is obnoxious to the mocker
and he will not disturb him. He is
fond Of worms, chafers, grubs. moths,
butterfly, larvae, seed and berries, es-
pecially in the breeding season will
they destroy large numbers of insect
pests. The chief attraction of the
Mocking bird is unquestionally its fine
song.
While singing the male usually
perhes in the top of tree, on a
gable. on the top of a chimney or the
steeple of a church. Before descending
TO a definite spot he usually bounds
into the air. and then alights on his
perch. During the performance of
his song he spreads his wings. ex-
pauds his tail, and hops and flies
around in an ecstasy of enthusiasm
and joy. In the spring the Mockipg
bird is the personification of unM
strained mirth and activity 1t always
accompanies its song with lively
movements. 1t turns its head in a
very self-conscious manner to the
right and left, jerks its tail OCCASION
ally. raises its wings over its back,
bounds up quickly, and descends again
TO the same spot. all the time singing
without interruption.
He is such a cherry, lively bird. that
it would attract general attention even
IL ii were not a beautiful songster. Its
talent Of initiating other birds and
its own sonorous song, at once make |
il noticeable wherever it occurs. It |
knows better than any other birds how
10 acquire the love and good will of |
man Its happy disposition. its extra |
ordinary developed gift of mimicry, |
its wonderful song, and not the least
their truthfulness, make them the
most beloved and most cherished of
all bird kind. The mellowness of its
song. the varied modulations and gra-
duations. the extent of its compass, the |
great briIliancy of execution are IN
rivalled. There is probaly no bird in |
the world that possesses all the must |
cal qualifications of this King of |
song" who has derived all from Nat
ure's self. All the notes gurgle forth |
wildly intermingled. without, how
ever, any lack of graceful sweetness. !
Its song flows out like ripping brook
Of tunes and melodies, ever new, ever
irresistible and peculiarly charming.
Its voice is metallic and soft, exhibit |
ting such rapidity of change in the |
passages from one clause to another. |
from brilliant acuteness TO liquid .
complaint, that one is really filled with |
wonder at such talent
II especially loves to settle in gard
ems and orchards, and settles with pre-
ference in the neighborhood Of man,
and becomes so attached to man
wherever it finds him a friend and
protector. When protected the bird
viii build its nest often in the imme-
date neighborhood Of a dwelling in a
small tree or in climbing roses and
dense shrubbery; il will nest even in
the prickly pear so common at the
Islands. The nest is often placed in
the corners of fences or on a tree, in
so exposed a spot as to be seen from
a distance. The bird knows how to
conceal the nest with great care when
necessary, and to protect it from I'M
welcome intruders. The exterior of
the nest is usually composed of twigs, !
plant stems, grasses, pieces of paper
and rags, strings, and feathers; it is
lined with finer grasses and rootlets.
The eggs, four or five in number, are
pale greenish blue, spotted with red
dish brown. The male is too much
taken up with singing to participate in
the building of the nest or Matching of
the eggs. He usually perches on top
Of a tree. or on a roof, etc, where he
sings while he continually looks about
in all directions. He will courage
ously defend the nest against any in
truder. cats, dogs, and other animals.
sometimes even man, are valiantly at
tackled as soon as they approach the
nest
Anyone who has ever visited the
South Atlantic coast states will re-
member with pleasure the songs of
these beautiful birds. To have them
here, distributed throughout the city