Field Notes 0)1 the /h'rds of Oaliii . 37 



near the coast or up the narrow canons. One was taken at Ka- 

 hiiku December 31, and two were shot in the vicinity of Waima- 

 nalo December 23. Length, 25; wing, 12.57; ^^i^^- 3-i9; tarsus, 3; 

 mid-toe and claw, 3.57. This bird is found on all the islands. 



Order PALUDICOL.^. Family Rallid^. 



Gallinula sandvicensis, Street. Alae. 

 Mud Hen. 

 These birds are common in the tule swamps, kalo patches and 

 fish ponds all over the island. The specimens taken show a de- 

 cidedly red tarsvis. 



Order LIMICOL^-E. Family Scolopacidae. 



248. Calidris arenaria, Linn. Hunakai. 

 Sanderling. 

 The Sanderling is by no means an uncommon bird here dur- 

 ing the winter months. On December 21 six were observed during 

 one afternoon along the sandy northern shore of the island, in the 

 vicinit}- of Kahuku. It is interesting to watch these little birds 

 following the retreating wave down the sandy beach, and their 

 a(ftive scramble for the freshly uncovered Crustacea. I have fre- 

 quently seen them running along the beach with the end of the 

 bill held firmly in the sand, literally plowing out their food. The 

 specimens taken were all in very light winter plumage. No doubt 

 this bird occurs on all the islands of the group, although it has 

 only been reported from Kauai and Niihau. 



259. Heteractitis incanus, vStejn. Ulili. 

 Wandering Tatler. 

 This bird could teach an "Ancient Mariner" many things of 

 the sea. Its knowledge and judgment of the waves is nothing 

 short of wonderful. They know perfectly well the rhythm of the 

 sea, and just how many big heavy waves will come pounding over 

 their rocks before there is a lull ; this they show by running far 

 down on the rocks after the third wave, knowing that the fourth 

 will be smaller and not large enough to knock them from their 

 new feeding ground. They also know perfe(5tly well if the in- 

 coming wave is going to break or merely swell past them, their 

 judgment in this matter being better than my own, although I 



