Dole.] 294 [February 17, 



been continued at intervals since that time. The paper, which will 

 be printed in full in the Memoirs of the Society, was accompanied by 

 a map and sections. 



February 17, 1869. 



Dr. T. M. Brewer in the chair. Thirty-eight merabers 



present. 



The following papers were read : — 



A Synopsis of the Birds hitherto described from the 

 Hawaiian Islands. With Notes by Sanford B. Dole, 

 Esq., of Honolulu, Corresponding Member. 



In compiling the following list, all authorities on this subject have 

 been consulted, and it is believed that it includes all species that have 

 been described, and all that have been noticed by naturalists as be- 

 longing to the Hawaiian Islands. As by far the greater numb«r of 

 birds are found in the mountain regions of the interior, and thus have 

 escaped the naturalists of various exploring expeditions, whose limited 

 time has been spent near the shores, or on the lowland, the list shows 

 a large preponderance of shore and water-birds, and probably com- 

 prises but little more than half the avi-fauna of the group. And yet 

 our Museums, and those of Europe as well, have so few specimens, 

 even of the species here enumerated as peculiar to the islands, that it 

 seems well to print the brief characteristics given in the original de- 

 scriptions, which it is hoped that a further study may sujjplement or 

 correct. Of the endemic species little is known in regard to their 

 habits or times of incubation, and few eggs are ever found, as their 

 nests are mostly in the jungle, or on the mountain plateaux where no 

 person resides, and where few go. In former times, when feathers 

 were demanded as a tax by the king and chiefs, many natives made a 

 practice of snaring birds, generally with bird-lime made from the 

 juice of lobeliaceous or other plants ; and so common was this occu- 

 pation that jjeculiar trees were transplanted to new places in the 

 forests, and well armed with the bird-lime, that the curiosity of the 

 birds might cause the loss of their much prized feathers. Now few 



