40 Director's Aniuml Report. 



dusky frontal patch conspicuous. Another, a female in very dark 

 plumage, was taken March 15. The ovary of this bird contained 

 twenty-one small eggs, ranging from the size of No. 6 shot up to 

 the size of a large pea. 



These owls come out about sunset and fly around near the 

 ground, uttering every little while their cry of P-we-o from which 

 they get their native name. I have frequently watched three or four 

 hawking about in Kalihi valley at sunset ; they sail quietly along, 

 just skimming the tops of the low guava bushes and grass, alight- 

 ing occavSionally to pick up a stray insect. The stomachs of the 

 three taken, however, were entirely destitute of food, perhaps 

 owing to their being taken early in the evening. I have decoyed 

 these birds within range by sailing my hat in the air. The Pueo 

 is found on all the islands. Length, 14; wing, 12.5; tail, 5.75; 

 tarsus, 1.62; culmen, .68; its depth at nostril, .62; mid-toe and 

 claw, 2. 



Chasiempis gayi, Wilson. Elepaio. 

 Oahu Fly-catcher. 



This is the most common native land bird to be found on the 

 island. One will usually see at least three or four during a day's 

 hunt in the mountains. On March 14, a particularly favorable 

 day, I observed eighteen by a(5tual count. This Fly-catcher, un- 

 like all the other birds of the island, does not regard man as its 

 greatest enemy; a condition resulting, no doubt, from years of 

 worship by the natives, for this bird was the god of the canoemen 

 and gave judgment on all the timber used in boat-building. Its 

 usual haunt is the densely wooded cations at an elevation of from 

 800 to 1300 feet. It is a most adlive and interesting little bird and 

 can easih' be called quite near by a slight kissing sound made with 

 the lips to the back of one's hand — a ver^^ good imitation of one of 

 their calls. Their usual call, however, is a loud, clear whistled 

 El'-ep-aio, from which it gets its native name. Another common 

 note is a slight variation of the above, sounding like a whistled 

 T6o-wee-oo ; still another frequently heard is a sharp Wheet', whto. 

 When approaching one it scolds in words sounding like Chrr, chrr. 

 In all I have counted seven different calls or notes from this bird. 

 They have a habit, when excited, of spreading their tail and flipping 

 it up to almost right angles with their body. The}' are not at all 

 afraid, as I have had them approach within twenty inches of mv face. 



