174 



that should be imported at once into Hawaii. For example, 

 the house ^^Ten, the mocking bird and the fly catchers could be 

 taken on their records. Nevertheless those interested in bird 

 introduction should recognize that an extensive outfit with suf- 

 ficient funds for carrying on scientific experiments at home and 

 abroad must be provided before thorough work can be done. 

 Time and skill of a high order are two important factors that 

 must not be overlooked 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 a 

 view to establishing conditions of inter relation between species 

 resulting in a division of labor similar to that which is known 

 on the mainland and in other regions where the bird population 

 is in a more normal condition. 



Finally, it seems proper to urge that it is unwise to under- 

 take bird introduction into the Island on' a small scale as a be- 

 ginning looking to a larger development of the experiment if it 

 should prove successful. There is always the possibility of the 

 first introduction 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 a large well equipped experi- 

 mental aviary under the direction of an ornithologist familiar 

 with conditions as they exist is without doubt the first and the 

 most essential step in bird introduction, 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 exam- 

 ining the stomachs of a great many Hawaiian birds he had 

 found but one instance of a bird eating a beneficial insect. One 

 species of Clorodrepaniis from Oahu, was found to be a heavy 

 feeder -on the scale (Coccus acuminMus). He also stated 

 that nearly all of the Honey Creepers fed their young on cater- 

 pillars, but the adults rarely touch an insect. He, too, em- 

 phasized the importance of careful experiments before introduc- 

 ing a strange bird, as nearly all of the introductions of strange 

 birds without such precautions had proved failures. Mr. Ehr- 

 horn spoke very highly of the California black bird (Brewers' 

 blackbird) as an insect eater. He noticed that these birds would 

 very often perch on the backs of cattle, no doubt picking at 

 some of the flies which w^ere annoying them. He also mentioned 



