Subject: report from zone 9, Hilo and questions
Date: Jan 19 21:49:16 1999
From: russeff - russeff at whidbey.com


Hello Tweeters,

My mom-in-law recently came to visit from Hawaii, and relayed this
story. Thought some might enjoy it!

A Mynah bird has set up it's nest in a Hala tree
(http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/images/pan_tec_hab.jpg) in
Joyce's backyard. This bird is notorious for stealing garden plants and
various other items from neighbors and using them to "feather" it's
nest. Quite a rascal! Several months ago it spotted a tomato plant in a
neighbor's garden, pulled it up, and brought it up to the nest. Joyce
didn't notice it until the tomatoes turned bright red - the plant had
rooted and was growing in the nest, 20+ feet up in the Hala tree! Joyce
tells me that the sun is usually too direct/hot for tomatoes, but in
this case the sun, temp & humidity were just right. The plant continued
to bear fruit for weeks, and only recently stopped.

In addition to the Mynah bird, Joyce's bird visitors include Cardinals,
Mourning Doves, and lots of other beauties that she hasn't identified
yet. Got to get a good zone 9/tropical field guide for her - any
suggestions?

She also has as a regular visitor what the locals call a Chinese
Warbling Wren. Many years ago Chinese workers brought these companion
birds with them as they moved to the Islands, and some now live "wild"
there (this according to local legend). I couldn't find a photo of this
bird (under this name) - does anyone have any guesses?


happy birding to all,
Shannon, zone 7, Whidbey Island