The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-04-26

insect feeding on a Wild plant Of no
value.
7th.-The primary parasite Of pre-.
daceous insect.
Sth-The secondary parasite Of a
predaceous insect, and so on
These and other circumstances men
toned during the consideration Of this
subject we're calculated 70 show that
there was no danger that birds, n
properly selected before introduction
would seriously interfere with our
introduced beneficial insects
In closing it would seem to be
simple matter for any one familiar
with the facts to suggest half doz.
en- species Of birds that should be inn
ported at once into Hawaii. For ex-
ample, the house wren, the hooking
tird and the fly catchers could be
taken on their records Nevertheless
those interested in bird Introduction
should recognize that an extensive
outfit with sufficient funds for carry
ing on scientific experiments at home
and abroad must be provided before
thorough work can be done. Time
ana skill of a high order are two i'm
rortant factors that must not be over
looked in attacking the problem.
There should be large importations
made in stocking the new species in
the Islands and a number of species
should be introduced with view ID
establishing conditions of inter re.
latlon between species resulting in
a division of labor similar to that
which is known on the mainland an
in other regions where the bird po-
pulation is in a more normal conii
ton.
Finally, it seems proper to urge that
it is unwise to undertake bird intro
duction into the Island on a small
scale as a beginning looking to larg-
er development of the experiment il
it should prove successful. There is
always the possibility of the first in
PRODUCTION being ill-advised or turning
out badly, with the result that the
whole subject of bird introduction
would be discredited in the popular
mind.
The protection furnished by large
well equipped experimental aviary un
RI np fhn Il Ion, &c to
familiar with conditions as they ex
ist is without doubt the first and the
most essential step in bird introduce
ton, and one which should be the
foundation of the work
After this paper a very interesting
discussion followed DR.. Perkins
agreed with Prof. Bryan and added
that after examining tie stomachs of
a great many Hawaiian birds he haa
found but one instance of a bird eat
| ing a beneficial insect. One species
CT Clorodrepanis from Oahu. was
found to he heavy feeder on the
i scale Go" s acuminatus). He also
stated that nearly all of the Honey
Creepers fed their young on cater
pillars, but the adults rarely touch
eli insect He, too emphasized the
Importance of careful experiments be-
fore introducing a strange bird, as
nearly all of the introductions of
strange birds without such precau-
lions had proved failures. Mr.. Ehr-
horn spoke very highly of the Cali
iornla black bird brewers blackbird)
as an insect eater. He noticed that
these birds would very often perch
on the backs of cattle, no doubt picS
ing at some of the flies which were
annoying them. He also mentioned
a Chinese thrush brought to San
Francisco by a Chinese that fed only
On live grasshoppers. Vice-Presidert
Terry then read a letter from DR.
Cobb in Jamaica stating that turkeys
we're very effective in Keeping down
insects in Jamaica cane fields. Mr..
ihrhorn said that he had seen tur-
Keys doing good work against erie
kets in California. Mr.. Terry noticed
at Hongkong some insectivorous birds
which he thought might prove very
useful.
Prof. Bryan said the common house
wren was very good insect feeder.
He mentioned also an African bird
that lived around animals picking off
flies and other insect pests. After
reading all the available literature re-
garding this bird the only thing not
to its credit was the picking at the
saddle gals or sores on stock. This
bird he thought would be an efficient
enemy of the horn fly.
Mr.. Ehrhorn wanted 20 know what
insects besides the Japanese beetle
and the 'Olinda bug affected the Eu-
oalyptus in Hawaii. Mr.. Swezey said
that the Torpedo bug (Siphanta acuta
Walk.) could be added to the list.
Mr.. Swezey exhibited a nest of Po-