The herald., 1897-12-24
(Edited by Prof. A. ]. Cook)
Importing Birds

(Edited by Prof. A. ]. Cook)
Importing Birds
1t is reported that Mr.. Henry e. Dosch,
commissioner of the Oregon board pi
horticulture, is making great effort ro
introduce into his state the kohmeise
the German name for the European tit
mouse, or chickadee, parus major. The
bird is reputed to keep the coddling moth
larvae in check in Germany. 1t is pro-
posed to distribute the birds in several
sections of the state. ~
CAUTION DESIRABLE
There is often much danger in intro
ducing foreign animals into this or any
country. They escape from their usual
enemies, increase with startling rapidity
and often become so numerous as to
threaten the very interests they were
intended to foster. The European house
sparrow, introduced into the United
States, the European rabbit, imported
into Australia, the mongoose, taken to
the Sandwich islands and Jamaica. are
all examples in point. 1t is never wise to
import any animal into new country
until full, scientific investigation il
made into its life history habits and
place among animals.
PARUS MAJOR
The kohlmeise, or European titmouse,
Is we'll related. All of the pardae are
strictly insectivorous Our black-capped
chicadee, parus atricapillus, is very
useful bird of the east, that Industrious
ly creeps about the tree trunks and
branches and carefully seeks out and
devours the many insects that hide un
der the bark scales and in crevices. 1t
is said that the kohlmeise is not only
ravenous feeder on coddling moth cater
pillars, but devours hosts of others that
seek shelter under the bark scales. 1t
Is also reported to be exceedingly pro-
life, producing three broods of from ten
to twelve birds each season. 1t is nom
migratory, remaining perennially in one
place. AS Germany is not as mild is
Oregon, this bird might be expected to
thrive in Oregon and all along our Pa
cific coast even better than at home
From its relationship We may be sure
that it would do no harm among us, only
good. 1t is not quarrelsome bird, and
even if it becomes very common here we
need have little fear of its interfering to
drive other birds away.
From descriptions given, this little
bird friend must resemble not little the
black capped titmouse of the east, which
is about as large as it is. 1t is olive green
in color, with gray wings, black head,
yellow breast and cheeks white. / think
we may feel sure that only good can
come from the importation of the Euro
pean chickadee.
MONGOLIAN PHEASANTS
The fame of the Mongolian pheasant
into Oregon some years ago,
has spread widely over the United States.
1t has become q game bird of high rank
among the sporting fraternity. Its
beauty is remarkable, and like most i'm
ported species of animals not too greatly
removed from their usual climatic con-
it has 1iourished remarkably
we'll in it's new home. From the size
Of the bird, its excellence for food and
attractiveness as a game bird,
should be less apprehensive from its
into a new country, like
Oregon or California, as we should sup
pose that it's ranks could and would be
quickly thinned if it We're to become too
common or in any way an offense. In
deed, | have heard that it is so great q
favorite with the Sportsmen that laws
have been enacted in our sister state
looking to its protection. The fact that
Oregon has made it an offense against
the law to send this bird out of the
state shows that she as yet appreciates
these birds. Yet birds are said to have
been smuggled out and introduced into
Ohio. 1t is reported that eastern game
sters are importing the birds direct from
China. 1t is also matter of newspaper
that our California fish com
missioners are now attempting to in
lfoduce these pheasants into our state. /
While in Michigan some years ago a
pair OF these beautiful birds was sent
me by a friend in Oregon. | did not
set them free. l dared not do so in the
Eght of the Australian experience with
rabbits and our own with European
sparroWs. / have heard rumors that
there is already loud complaint in Ore
Son against these birds 1t surely be-
hooVeS our fish commissioners and any ]
other persons in authority who contem-
plate the Introduction of the Chinese (
pheasant into our state to thorouehIv
investigate its standing in Oregon. inter- /
iogating the farmers no less than the
'poftsmen; else We may find, as in the
Importation Of the European sparrow. /
nat We have caught a Tartar.
Ihe success attending the importation
d the Vedalia into California. the pros- /
}ectlve value of the rhizobius, and the
valuable work already done by it. the
pleasure and satisfaction which our
northern brothers take in their Nfongo-
lah pheasants. and the reported success
u Mr.. Koebele's importations of bene
acial insects into Hawaii. all suggest
with emphasis that we are not alive as
we should be to the importance of brine.-
ng new species Of birds and insects inro
'ur state AS suggested above, this
work IS attended with SO much Of danger
nat IT should always be done under the
iirection of the expert scientist. 1t is
hiilcult to Imagine a more honeful lime
II enterprise than this if wisely manned
md executed. 1t is passing stranep that
'ur pomologists do not rise in their
night, after such surprising benefits
Us came to them through the fmpo1ta-
ion of the Vedalia, and demand mat am
Koebele is the man. if his
ervices are available-be kept in the
leld all the time. The fruits of his la
'ors might, and very likely would he.
and very generous. NJ.
Ioebele made two hasty trips and gave
Is the vedalla and rhizobius, respective
Y. That there are more such conauests
0 be secured by faithful searching can
lardly be questioned. Why are the
oddling moths, the cabbage butterflies.