184 WOOD NOTES WILD. 



IMPORTED SONGSTERS. Contin. 



"These and other reports received by me prove that the 

 birds are doing well, and the society is so well pleased with 

 the success of its scheme that another subscription was started 

 here about six weeks ago for the purpose of bringing some 

 more of the insectivorous birds here. It is also the intention 

 to import a number of mocking-birds from the South. The 

 birds will arrive here about the first of March, 1891. By the 

 introduction of such birds the orchards are protected against 

 insects and caterpillars. 



"The following is the list of useful European and South 

 American singing-birds which the society has ordered by Mr. 

 Stuhr, the Portland bird-dealer, to be delivered here in Port- 

 land, Oregon, in good order and condition, not later than 

 March 1, 1891 : twenty-four pairs of skylarks at $4 per pair, 

 twenty-four pairs of American mocking-birds at $5.50 per pair, 

 twenty-four pairs of bullfinches at $4 per pair, twelve pairs of 

 black song thrushes at $7.50 per pair, twelve pairs of gray 

 song thrushes at $8.50 per pair, eighteen pairs of red-breasted 

 English robins at $5.50 per pair, twenty-four pairs of black- 

 headed nightingales at $5.50 per pair. Some special orders 

 for different parties were of goldfinches at $2.50 per pair, black 

 starlings at $5.50 per pair, chaffinches at $2.50 per pair, linnets 

 at $3.50 per pair, ziskins (green finches) $2.50 per pair. 



" The aforesaid birds have to be delivered here in first-class 

 order and healthy condition by Mr. Stuhr, the bird-dealer, and 

 upon such delivery he will be paid for the same at the afore- 

 said prices. 



" Our first importation of birds, in 1889, has cost the society 

 very nearly $1,500 for two hundred and seventy-five pairs, but 

 our importation for 1891 will be considerably cheaper, owing 

 to the fact that we have aroused the competition of the dealers." 



An account of the origin of this most commendable movement is to be 

 found in the West Shore (Portland, Oregon) for March, 1889. 



