304 NATURAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



abundant, though seals are regularly reported from Laysan, Lisiansky, Pearl 

 and Hermes Reef, and are occasionally seen at ^Midway. In January, 1912, 

 the U. S. Revenue cutter Tlietis returned from a cruise to ^Midway and Laysan 

 and brought a seal-skin back which was presented to the Bishop ^Museum. Baby 

 seals were seen at that time, and it is (piite probnble that, if not intcrf(n*cd 

 Avith. the h(>rd will increasi^ in iiunilicrs. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

 INTRODUCED BIRDS. 



The nature-lover visiting Hawaii for the tirst time is sure to be disap- 

 pointed by the limited number of species of birds to be seen in Honolulu and 

 along the main traveled roads about the islands. AVere it not for the presence 

 of the dozen or more species of birds that have been introduced into Hawaii by 

 accident or design, it is doubtful if the average tourist would see or hear a 

 single bird during his stay in the group. It is unfortunate that of the otie 

 hundred and twenty-five or more species enumerated in the list of birds in the 

 islands, not more than ludf a dozen will be seen within the city of Honolulu, and 

 nil of these are introduced from other lands. 



The English Sparrow. 



The English sparrow ' is perhaps the most abundant bird about the city. 

 This pert, saucy and industrious Britisher is six inches or so in length, and has 

 a brownish back, streaked with black. In the adult male the conspicuous black 

 throat patch makes it a species easily recognized as an old acquaintance of a 

 distant land, and serves to distinguish it from the house finch or the "rice 

 l)ird,"- the only other species with wdiich it can be confused. The latter 

 species is about tlie size of its English cousin, but is light ashy-broAvn, streaked 

 wi1h (lark l)r()Avii above. During the mating season the male has the throat 

 and breast a crimson color. The English sparrow's eggs are always spotted, 

 while the house finch's eggs are smaller and are a very pale bluish tint. 



Rice Birds. 



There is also another rice bird, much smaller than the California house 

 finch. It is usually seen flying in small, compact tiocks. In reality it is a 

 weaver bird and belongs to a dift'erent family from that of the two species just 

 described. Doubtless it arrived in Hawaii many years ago as a cage bird that 

 came originally from the Malay Peninsula. As so often happens Avith pets, it 

 probably escaped from captivity and has since become common throughout 

 the group. While it is called a rice l)ird. it is better known locally as the 

 Chinese sparrow.-'' It is about two-thirds the size of the larger rice l)ird, and 



^Passer dowenticus. - CnrpodaciiK inexirarins ohscurriis. ^ Miinia ni.ioria. 



