The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-24
HAWAIIAN MOSQUITOES.
The Nina Bird Imported &c Destroy
Them Itself n Pest.
Washington Star.

W 1SlllENyl 0ldA.
In connection with that worldwide topic
Of present interest mosquitoes IL is usual 10
regard New Jersey as their most cherished
habitate, but any one who has spent a
week or two in Honolulu viii be inclined
TO dispute that conclusion.
While in New Jersey during the summer
months the nights rest is sure 70 be dis
turDed by the music and various attentions
Of this tireless pest, in Honolulu both by
day and night, at all seasons OF the year,
life Is made miserable by their attacks. In
the daytime a species somewhat like in
color and both males and females, wearing
striped pantalOOns infests the gardens and
verandas. This army IS relieved at sum
down by another variety as sombre In as
pect as the night I'm which they commit
their deeds OF h and who defy metz
proof rooms and All known exterminators.
The reason given why Honolulu Is par
ticularly plagued by mosquitoes Is thar
owing to its natural situation. overlooked
by lofty hills, the ttade winds that other
wise would carry them out % sea sweep
above the city, leaving them 20 increase
rapidly in number. BE this as II may,
Honolulu, a little paradise In all other
respects. has been so troubled by mos
QuitOes that TO exterminate them and other
nOXious insects the authorities In an un-
nina bird from India
IN his native land the nina bird bore the
highest reputation for many admirable
qualities. 10 which he added a persistent
warfare against perniciOus insects. but aft
er a short residence IN the islands. when
a sufficient time had elapsed 10 enable him
~ - a EaAA HNAN VIII LANA AA AAE E.A
feet on the palm bOughs and take a good
look over the situation. the climate or some
other cause seemed entirely 20 change his
disposition. Instead Of setting 70 work %
rid the islands OF mosquitoes. he was 81
charmed with his new surroundings. which
he found exactly suited 10 the reQuirements
OF the nina bird. that he straightway pro-
ceeded either 10 Kill or drive out 70 sea an
the beautiful native birds for which the
islands were celebrated-in fact, TO assume
the ownership OF the whole % Hawaii "a
far as birddom was concerned.
II still was fervently hoped that when
this b~rigandage was accomplished he would
take uD the business for which his serxfres
had been enlisted. but whether the Ha-
waiian mosquitoes have a different flavor
from those OF Madras and are unpalatabls
TO the taste OF the nina bird IS not known.
only he soon made II plain that he inan-
addition TO their destruction. he has 81
multiplied IN number on this diet that Won
may now see his shiny black coat. with the
white-tipped wings, and hear his impudent
call from one end Of the islands 10 ths
other.
The fact that among the personal accom-
pliShments OF this peculiar bird Is A talent
for m~imicking the human voice and learn
ing many curious tricks IS not regarded in
the Islands as compensation for his total
failure 10 carry out the obligations for
which he was brought to those shores. and
for his Infamous treatment OF the native
birds. What 20 do with the nina bird Is a
question which has now entirely superseded
that OF how TO get rid OF the mosQuitOeS