FOREIGN
SONG BIRDS IN OREGON.
| IN 1889 and 1892 the German Song
Bird Society of Oregon introduced there 400 pairs of the
following species of German song birds, to-wit: Song
Thrushes, Black Thrushes, Skylarks, Woodlarks,
Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Ziskins, Greenfinches,
Bullfinches, Grossbeaks, Black Starlings, Robin
Redbreasts, Linnets, Singing Quails, Goldhammers,
Linnets, Forest Finches, and the plain and black headed
Nightingales. The funds for defraying the cost of
importation and other incidental expenses, and for the
keeping of the birds through the winter, were subscribed
by the citizens of Portland and other localities in
Oregon. To import the first lot cost about $1,400. After
the birds were received they were placed on exhibition at
the Exposition building for some days, and about $400 was
realized, which was applied toward the expense.
Subsequently all the birds, with the exception of the Sky
and Wood Larks, were liberated near the City Park. The
latter birds were turned loose about the fields in the
Willamette Valley. When the second invoice of birds arrived it was late in the season, and Mr. Frank Dekum caused a very large aviary to be built near his residence where all the sweet little strangers were safely housed and cared for during the winter. The birds were all liberated early in April. Up to that time (Spring of 1893) the total cost of importing the birds amounted to $2,100. |
Since
these birds were given their liberty the most encouraging
results have followed. It is generally believed that the
two varieties of Nightingales have become extinct, as few
survived the long trip and none have since been seen. All
the other varieties have multiplied with great rapidity.
This is true especially of the Skylarks. These birds rear
from two to our broods every season. Hundreds of them are
seen in the fields and meadows in and about East
Portland, and their sweet songs are a source of delight
to every one. About Rooster Rock, twenty-five miles east
of Portland on the Columbia, great numbers are to be
seen. In fact the whole Willamette Valley from Portland
to Roseburg is full of them, probably not as plentiful as
the Ring-neck Pheasant but plentiful enough for all
practical purposes. In and about the city these sweet
little songsters are in considerable abundance. A number
of the Black Starling make their homes about the high
school building. The Woodlarks are also in evidence to a
pleasing extent. There is a special State law in force for the protection of these imported birds. They are all friends of the farmer, especially of the orchardists. They are the tireless and unremitting enemy of every species of bug and worm infesting vegetables, crops, fruit, etc. — S. H. GREENE, in Forest and Stream |