62 
ance in parts of California because it destroys large quantities 
of small fruits, and in time it may become a nuisance in the 
Islands. 
Neither the bobolink nor any species of blackbird should be 
considered for a moment as a candidate for introduction. The 
former is a pest to the rice planter. In 1880, when the rice crop 
of South Carolina was valued at upwards of six millions of dol- 
lars, this bird it was estimated destroyed at least one-third of the 
crop, to the value of two million of dollars. 
The Brewer's blackbird might possibly prove an exception 
to the rule, but it is exceedingly gregarious in fall and winter, 
and any birds that assemble in large flocks are to be regarded 
with suspicion as they are capable of inflicting great damage 
on crops when they turn their attention to them. 
I can see no harm likely to result from the introduction into 
the Islands of any of the small spotted woodpeckers, as for in- 
stance, Gairdner's woodpecker (Dryobates piihescens gairdneri) y 
and Nuttall's woodpecker {Dryobates nuttalli), both of which 
birds might be obtained in California and both are very useful. 
So far as scale insects are concerned, and other small insect 
pests, I can unreservedly recommend any of the chickadees, as 
the plain titmouse (Baeolophiis iiioriiatus iiwrnatus) , mountain 
chickadee (Penthestes gambeli gambeli), California chickadee 
(Peuthcsfcs rufescens neglectus) , the bush-tit (Psalfripanis 
Minimiisminimus) , also the wren-tit (Chacmaca fasciata fas- 
ciata). Both the latter species abound near San Francisco. I 
should not hesitate to recommend also any of the flycatchers, or 
phoebes, like Say's flycatcher (Sayornis sayus), the black fly- 
catcher (Sayornis nigricans) of California, and the ash-throated 
flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) . These three species are, 
it is true, migratory, and it is by no means certain that they 
would forego the migratory instinct and consent to remain in the 
Islands. On this account it would be better to select tropical 
non-migratory flycatchers, as species of the genus Myiarchus, 
Pitanga and Myiozetctcs, all of Mexico. The Vermilion fly- 
catcher of Texas, Arizona and Mexico, besides being very 
beautiful, is an active flycatcher living much in rather open 
fields and is non-migratory over much of its range. The little 
Australian flycatcher you mention might also prove a very de- 
sirable inhabitant of the Islands, and it is very likely to thrive 
there, as the little flycatcher, or elepaio, now dispersed over the 
uplands of several of the Islands was probably derived originally 
from Australian stock. 
Any species of swallow or nighthawk could be introduced 
with perfect safety and with the certainty of yielding valuable 
service, since these birds live almost exclusively on insects. Un- 
fortunately our American species are migratory, but the purple 
martin of northern Mexico is non-migratory, is a greedy insect 
eater, and could be rather easily obtained and transported, es- 
