Evening star., 1943-12-27
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUeU.
"FIFTEENTH STREET
Dear Sir:

Il have heard that there are no birds
at all in Hawaii. Is this true? I have
been very much interested in birds all
my life. and someday plan to 60 there.
when it again will be the true Paradise
of the Pacific it was called so long.
IF there are no birds there. however,
do not know that should want to 60.
To me land without birds would be
something strange. 1t has been one of
my greatest pleasures, since coming to
Washington, to watch the local birds
and to read about them on the editorial
page of The Star.
With best wishes of the season. I
am, Sincerely, T. J. B."
There are plenty Of birds In the Ha-
waiian Islands, but you have to look
for them
We have talked to many persons who
have been there, and feel safe in saying
that there are about 100 species, includ-
ing shorebirds.
At one time there were 230 birds
identified, but of these at least two
thirds are rare or extinct. OF the 10
more common species today, II are sea
and shore birds, Is native, regular
migrants and 80 introduced.
There are two thriving bird societies.
the Hui Manu- Cor Bird Society, which
specializes in importing birds. and the
Honolulu Audubon Society The first
was established in 1880 and the second
in 1899.
1t seems to be fact that the Japa-
nese birds exported to the islands are
among the most popular and colorful
1t is not strange that they have done
we'll, because the nature Of the islands
makes them feel at home. The Japa-
nese hill robin is one Of these.
The Chinese thrush is another IA
vorite. 1t is said to have escaped from
captivity in a fire in Honolulu's China
town" district in 1900 1t is one Of the
few known birds to Groom, that is, to
sing its regular loud song in whisper.
at times, when it cannot be heard more
than Is feet away.
The japanese tit, black and white
bird, Is conspicuous on some of the
islands.
X X
English sparrows hold their own, as
might be expected, but the mynah, i'm
The mynah is called the most con-
might be expected from any relative
of the startling.
There are several doves, and two
forms of the cardinal, the famous Ken
lucky cardinal and the Brazilian
cardinal.
The japanese bluebird is to be found
in some places, but our informants tell
us that it will be necessary to do bit
of looking to find it.
Authorities tell us that the island of
Oahu, in proportion to the total num-
Der of species once known, has larger
list of extinct birds than any place else
in the world.
Changes which have been introduced
into the islands during the past half
century are partly responsible.
Four introductions-the dog, cat, mon
goose and rat-are held mainly RESPONSE
BILE.
Bird diseases to which the native
birds had no immunity, were brought
in. These continued the destruction
begun many years ago by the use of
bird feathers for native cloaks.
The mongoose, however, is held to be
the greatest culprit.
1t was brought in, in 1888, to exter-
inmate rats, but failed as ANONYMOUSLY
as it had in Jamaica, from which it
was imported.
Finding no natural enemies in the
islands, it has increased to an alarming
extent Ground nesters are being run
out of existence, and those which nest
in trees lose their eggs and babies to
the mongooses, which are good climbers.
sly mongoose, dogs know your name, !"
Is the way Jamaican song goes The
Hawaiian Islands are finding that true.