mikeb@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu (Mike Burger) (08/09/89)
I have been a casual birdwatcher on Oahu for several years. Even in the last few years the expansion of the Java Sparrow, a cute little bird that seems to travel in pairs, has been quite obvious. It is an escaped cage bird. I believe they started on the north shore of Oahu. In the last few years they have been sweeping down the Manoa Valley. Last year I saw large (as many as 80) flocks of them feeding on open grass areas that had gone to seed at a private school above the University. Just yesterday I saw a large group of them feeding right in the middle of the University campus for the first time. It is not taking long for this small bird to make itself at home. At least they have not yet taken to begging for handouts with the more common species of imports at the campus center cafeterias. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mike Burger, Chemistry, 2545 The Mall | University of Hawaii | BITNET: MIKEB@UHCCUX.bitnet | Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822 | INTERNET: mike@helium.chem.hawaii.edu Phone: (808) 948-7503