The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-04-13
SUGGESTIONS FROM
kUMUWELA CLUB
Miss M. Reedl


that public camping places or parks
be established on every island. These
camping phces should have some
rough sheds or cottages where people
would be protected from the weather.
There should be a responsible care.
taker and small fee be paid for the
use of the camp. This would make it
easy for most any party of people to
go camping in the mountains very
cheaply; and it would increase the APP
probation of our youth for the forests
and mountains, and for simple, health
full pleasures
2. We suggest that the recommen-
datiOn of Mr.. Van Dine, the federal en-
tomOlogist, in regard to introducing
insectiverOus perching birds, after they
have been studied in an aviary. be
seriously considered. His recommen-
dation was that certain birds that
would protect cattle and sheep from
injurious flies should be imported from
California, where they are native. The
.
and harmless, except for the few USE
full insects that they eat Many Of
the perching birds are charming song
sters, and they would add very greatly
to the attractiveness of our gardens,
parks and forests. Numerous song
birds would double the joys of camp.
ing and tramping in the forest Why
not have them in Honolulu and on
Tantalus? Here is a chance for the
Promotion committee to add to our at
fractions. From an economic stand
point we might find these insectiverous
birds of great value in destroying
many of our insect pests in gardens
fields, and forests, and save the gar
deners and farmers much loss and ex-
pense.
To make sure that no bird nuisances
be imported, it would be wise to fol-
low Mr.. w. A. Bryan's suggestion to
establish a large introduction aviary
and carefully study each birds food
habits before they are freed. Several
difficulties stand in the way of the
introduction of these birds. First.
they are hard to catch in large enough
numbers for the experiment; second,
they are very hard to feed artifcually,
as they must have live insects for
food; third, where is the money to pay
the expense of the ornithologist for
collecting, caring for, and studying
these birds in the aviary?
All of these difficulties are probably
surmountable if we have the enthu-
siasm and energy to arouse a strong
public sentiment in favor of this pro-
ject. Is it not really worth trying?
Have we not been benefited by the
birds introduced by Hillebrand ia
MON and ers?-eXcept, perhaps, the
sparrow, which lis something of a
nuisance. The Mynah has his faults,
also, yet he undoubtedly devours many
injurious insects that would eat our
gardens and crops. Certainly the sky
lark, the linnet, and the mourning
dove have all added much pleasure to
our rides and walks. The wild turkeys
pheasants and the California quail
nave all furnished sport for the hunter
and game for the table.
3. We suggest to whoever owns or
leases land for a number of years that
he plant trees in the stoney places and
small corners and plot not suitable for
cultivation, and along the highways
where it is possible Also that the
owntrs of small homes learn to plant
better trees and to plant them more
artistically or effectively so that they
viii add beauty to the whole landscape.
4. That all of us teachers try to
arouse greater love for trees and
tree planting among the children and
their parents, and that when we are
planting school grounds we exercise
some care and taste in selecting the
best possible trees for that particular
locality
B. That we as a club, and as indi-
Yiduals, try to arouse a greater love
for nature especially for the noun
Jams ana forests; and the simple,
healthful joys of camping.
6. That we recommend camping va
cation schools to be organized for boys
and girls of high school age, similar
to those established in the Maine
woods and other Eastern localities.
That groups of ten to twenty boys or
girls be organized with a reliable
matron and teacher in charge, and that
they rest, tramp, lounge, swim and
stay up in the high attitudes as much
Of the vacation as possible, living on
simple, wholesome food. The teach
er in charge should be naturalist and
botanist and teach the young people
some of the things about plants, trees,
insects and birds, that would always
add a keener joy to every walk and
ride. l can think of no pleasure
ppaatpr than 1aadinU a or,o,,p 90 l,,,;,.l =