Colour-groups of the Hawaiictu Wasps, etc. 698 



of little moment compared with Fritz Miiller's : possibly 

 all of Bates's examples are simple Miillerian ones. 



Nov. 10, 1911. 



I am unable to suggest any explanation whatever for 

 the Colour-groups other than the Miillerian one ; but I 

 could not get any definite evidence that this is true. 

 I have examined vast quantities of young hirds in the 

 islands — they are always present at all seasons owing to 

 the equable climate, but what I have examined is nothing 

 to the numbers I have watched at close quarters. Camp- 

 ing entirely alone, as I so often did in untrodden forests — 

 for weeks together during some six years — where the birds 

 had never seen a human being, the young were often so 

 tame, they could even be knocked down with a switch ! 

 It was often impossible to shoot a bird, as they would come 

 so close out of curiosity and one could not get away from 

 them, especially young birds. 



Nov. 14, 1911. 



I should say the present-day Hawaiian birds are very 

 well educated by the parents in the matter of choice of 

 food. It was always a marvel to me why the parents 

 should tend them so long. I have doubtless remarked on 

 it often, but may here quote at random, from " Fauna Haw." 

 I, p. 404, of that common species, Vestiaria coccinea, " the 

 yellow, black-spotted young follow the parents sometimes 

 till they are far advanced in their red (i. e. mature) 

 plumage, but they very early learn to obtain nectar for 

 themselves, even at a time when the parents are still 

 feeding them on caterpillars." Again, p. 406, of Palmeria: 

 " The young follow the parents often until they have 

 arrived at almost their full plumage, and after they have 

 acquired their full song, but in the winter months these 

 companies are disbanded. In February and March they 

 are generally paired." 



I think similar remarks might be made on almost every 

 insectivorous Hawaiian bird, certainly all the common 

 ones. I noted even of the rare and extraordinary Pseudo- 

 nestor, p. 432, "they are unwearying in supplying their 

 full-Jledged young with food, and when the latter are 

 soliciting this from their parents they form a most comical 

 group." 



I do not think any one will ever again see Hawaiian 



3A2 



