There has been a number of reports about "Chinese Warbling Wrens"
(Japanese Hill Robins, Peking Nightingales, Leiothix-take your pick)
being seen here and there as escapees. Undubtedly some are escapees, but
I wonder how many were the result of deliberate releases. Just a
thought.

There are Federal and State laws concerning deliberate releases and
unless one has the proper authorization, against the law. Authorizations
are not given lightly.

Many years ago when I was stationed in Hawaii, there was a influential
organization whose principle objective was to keep Hawaii beautiful. A
laudable objective. And they accomplished a lot of good things. Most
were wives of the movers and shakers in Hawaii and had a lot of clout
and were instrumental in keeping commercial bill boards off the
highways.

However, it seems one of the members would import birds (along with the
Hui Manu - Bird Group or Organization) and deliberately turn them loose.
Seems there was an enterprising young man who set up mist nets below her
place, catch the birds and sell them to pet stores. When she found out
about that, she came to my office fuming and fussing and demanding that
I arrest him. I told her she was in violation of Federal law. She
simmered down quite a bit, and folded her tent and stole away. The young
fellow took down his nets and couldn't be found. Of course the pet
stores didn't know him. "What birds?" they'd say. Anyways, no sense in
being hard nosed so it was forgotten. I thought it rather humerous.
E.Kridler
Sequim