Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/134

 First Impressions of Hawaiian Birds BY H. W. HENSHAW THE first experiences of the bird lover in the Ishind of Hawaii are h'lcely to prove disappointing. The towns are enshrouded in trop- ical foliage, which offers inviting homes to birds, but the greenery harbors no avian life, save the Mynah and the little Rice Bird, both introduced species. Moreover, the harbors and coast line of Hawaii are, for the most part, almost as barren of native bird -life as the towns. The waters flash in the glorious tropical sunlight; the tidal pools, full of gor- geously colored fish, reflect the tropical vegetation that overhangs them r the sandy and rocky shores stretch invitingly away ; everything is present to welcome the birds — they alone are absent Yet not (juite solitary are the shores of Hawaii. Its rocky islets and coasts have proved a magnet strong enough to draw hither as a permanent resident the Wandering Tattler, the Ulili of the natives, whose running note, as he flits from rock to rock, forms a fitting accompaniment to the murmur of the waves as they break against the rocky barriers. I say a permanent resident, for, although the Ulili is not known to breed on Hawaii, the bird never wholly abandons its shores. The greater number leave, presumably for Alaskan breeding grounds, in April, but many remain the year round. The summer residents are the barren birds and such as arc still too im.mature to breed, or too weak to essay the long ocean flight. Moreover, if the observer lingers along shore till just before dark, or happens to be abroad at daybreak, he will see large flocks of Turnstones, accompanied b a few Plover, as tlun wing their way from the uplands, where alone the' feeil. Here, in pastures or on freshly plowed land, or among the sprouting sugar-cane, the birds find an abundant feast of worms and small insects. Hy destroying vast numbers of insects thc- do the planter good service, antl in turn are protected b him — for upon