Sonic Birds of Molokai . 79 



from the topmost branch of some dead Ohia tree, standing in an 

 opening in the dense surrounding forest. From such a station it 

 will often sing intermittentl}' for an hour or more. It is liable at 

 an\- time to disappear in the woods, only to return presently to 

 take up its song again. 



The adult male is, l;)y reason of its golden yellow head, a con- 

 spicuous bird, but with the head has been supplied a large amount 

 of caution which results in it being much rarer in collections than 

 would otherwise be the case. The female and the immature of 

 both sexes are inconspicuously colored, and for that reason are 

 often passed by the collector unobserved. As is so often the case, 

 owing to the curiosity and want of fear in the young, more imma- 

 ture than adult birds are always collected. 



The flight of the Ou is rapid, heavy and direct. During their 

 more extended flights, as from one ridge to another, they are more 

 often than otherwise in small flocks. Birds of both sexes answer 

 a decoy whistle frequently, coming within easy range of one, eye- 

 ing the intruder narrowh- all the while. A sudden motion, or an 

 unusual noise will invariably put the bird to flight, when they will 

 dart off without further ado, not infrequently flying half a mile or 

 more in a direct line. Like the Apapane, I have observed the Ou 

 making long-sustained flights from the palis of the large valleys, 

 that carried them readily from one valley to another. At such 

 times they rarely, if ever, soar or circle about, but set off directly 

 for the fresher fields with a show of knowledge and determination 

 that makes them while on the wing, easily distinguished from their 

 neighbors, as far as they can be seen. 



The series of skins give the following maximum, minimum 

 and average measurements : 



FOIR ADULT MALES. 



Length Wins: Tail Tarsus Toe Culnien 



Minimum 7.00 3.50 2.20 87 90 60 



Average 7.06 3.70 2.24 90 97 60 



Maximum 7.25 3.80 2.40 92 j.05 60 



FIVE FEMALES. 



Minimum '6.75 3.50 2.10 87 95 60 



Average 7.C0 3.61 2.22 90 95 60 



Maximum 7.25 3.70 2.40 92 95 60 



FOUR IMMATURE. 



^Minimum 6.70 3.50 2.15 



Average 6.92 3.59 2.20 •• 95 60 



Maximum 7.10 3.65 2.40 



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