Vol 'i9i9 XVI ] MacCaughey, The Hawaiian Elepaio. 33 



Another call-note is a sharp "wheet, whto" or "twee-ou" 

 uttered repeatedly and with piercing shrillness. This "whit" call 

 has a true Flycatcher quality. Frequently the Elepaio meets the 

 human intruder with a scolding "chrr, chrr, chrr." Several 

 gurgling call-notes are also used, particularly when the bird is 

 engaged in catching insects. It has no true flight-song, but on 

 rare occasions sings while on the wing. The young birds sing 

 during the first fall and winter. Altogether the Elepaio possesses 

 at least seven or eight calls, and possibly this number reaches a 

 dozen or more. 



Natives' Ideas. — To the early Hawaiians the Elepaio was a 

 sacred bird, a demigod (aumakua), and capable of omening. It 

 occupied a prominent place in native mythology and was revered 

 by the canoe-makers as a presiding genius of their labors. The 

 canoes were hewn chiefly from the massive trunks of the koa, 

 which grew abundantly in the Elepaio's range. Many religious 

 rites and ceremonies preceded and accompanied the selection, fell- 

 ing, and shaping of the trunk. If the Elepaio, while inspecting 

 a trunk previously selected by the natives for canoe-making, pecked 

 at it in a certain way, or uttered certain notes, the trunk, even 

 though partially felled, was abandoned by the natives as unfit 

 for use. The author has conversed with many of the old-time 

 Hawaiians concerning the Elepaio and has found that they always 

 speak of the bird with great respect. The modern natives know 

 little or nothing of this lore. 



Breeding habits. — There is little accurate information concern- 

 ing the breeding habits of any of the native passerine birds, owing 

 to the extreme difficulties of studying these birds in the field. 

 More is known concerning the Elepaio, however, than of any other 

 native bird. 



No special phenomena of courtship have been observed. It 

 not uncommonly pairs and breeds before assuming the mature 

 plumage. This fact has been determined through observations 

 of nesting birds, and by the examination of a large series of speci- 

 mens. The exact length of time during which the intermediate 

 plumage is worn is not known, but there is undoubtedly consider- 

 able variation at different elevations and situations on the several 

 islands. The Elepaio, so far as is known, is monogamous; it 

 probably takes a new mate for each nesting season. 



