Caum on Exotic Birds of Hawaii
Edward L. Caum has summarized in a paper entitled “The Exotic Birds of Hawaii” (Occas. Papers Bishop Mus., 10(9), 1933, 56 pp.) the results of attempts at bird introduction in Hawaii. About 90 species have been tried, of which 32 are established, and 19 because of too recent importation or other factors are of uncertain status; the others failed. The risks of bird introduction are discussed, but the author seems in agreement with other residents that Hawaii needs more birds and should try for them regardless of risks. The species successfully established are about half game birds, doves, and pigeons, and the remainder a variety of passerine birds. One of them, Munia nisoria, “does considerable damage to green rice”; Acridotheres tristis while frequently a nuisance, is deemed to do more good than harm; Passer domesticus “is, if anything, rather useful”; and Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis has not proved destructive. The publication is a valuable record and of great interest for its bearing on a highly controversial subject.
