The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-07-02
NEW SONG BIRDS
Commissioner MarSden
Introduces hooking Birds.
Six Turned Loose Yesterday
Gift of c. r. Pfluger of
Portland.

of Agriculture, returned TO Honolulu
by the Mariposa yesterday after al
absence of three months which ht
divided among the cities of the Sound
in Portland, Oregon, and in California
health resorts. Mr.. Marsden left here
in rather bad health but returns en-.
tirely improved and looking exceed
| ingly we'll.
While in Portland, Mr.. Marsder
visited G. F. Pfiuger, former resident
of the Hawaiian Islands and &
gentleman greatly interested in orni-
tholOgy. 1t was he who in 1885,
introduced the Mocking bird into Ore
gon. Impressed with the favorable
ness of this climate for these birds
Mr.. Pfiuger presented to Mr. Marsden
six birds which he requested to be set
free in the grounds around Queens
hospital With very careful attention
on the voyage down the birds reached
here safely. They were kept in 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.. Pfiuger
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 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 it's fine
song.
While singing the male usually
perches in the top OF a 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-
pands his tail, and hops and flies
around in an ecstasy of enthusiasm
and joy. In the spring the hooking
bird is the personifcation of unre-
strained mirth and activity. 1t always
accompanies it's song with lively
movements. 1t turns it's head in a
very self-conscious manner to the
right and left, jerks it's tail occasion
ally, raises it's 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
if it were not a beautiful songster. It's
talent of initiating other birds and
it's own sonOrOus song, at once make
it noticeable wherever it occurs. 1t
knows better than any other birds how
to acquire the love and good will of
man It's 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 brilliancy of execution are I'M
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
It's song flows out like ripping brook
of tunes and melodies, ever new, ever
irresistible and peculiarly charming
It's 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.
It especially loves to settle in gard
ems and orchards. and settles with pre-
ference in the neigh borhood of man
and becomes so attached to man
wherever it finds him a friend and
protector. When protected the bir6
will build its nest often in the imme'
date neighborhood of a dwelling in {
small tree or in climbing roses and
dense shrubbery; it will nest even III
| the prickly pear so common at the
Islands. The nest is often placed IL
| the corners of fences or on tree, II
| so exposed a spot as to be seen IRON
a distance. The bird knows how t
conceal the nest with great care wher
necessary, and to protect it from I'M
welcome intruders. The exterior O.
the nest is usually composed of twigs
plant stems, grasses, pieces of paper
and rags, strings, and feathers; it /:
! 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 il
| the building of the nest or Matching o
the eggs. He usually perches on tol
| of a tree, or on a roof, etc, where h'
| sings while he continually looks abou
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 TIL
nest.
Anyone who has ever visited tn
South Atlantic coast states will re