THE ANBIAL LIFE OF THE GROUP. 331 



slightly in size and color from island to island. Ilicy ;dl hdoii^' to one unuis 

 and are easily recognized as one of the most common and widely distril)ute(l 

 species. They are nectar-feeding species and are freqnently seen in (•<iiii|)an\- with 

 the red species just mentioned. They are also fond of insects and spend much 

 of their time searching thi'oiigh the foliage. The call note of the amakihi is 

 a sweetly-whistled "tsweet," which is easily imitated. Theii- song is a short 

 trill, and when it is at its fullest is loud and penetrating but not vei'\- musical. 

 All of these birds (as, indeed, are all of the birds belonging to the family 

 Drepanidida) are characterized l\v a very strongly-marked and peculiar odor. 

 This goat-like scent is so peculiar and persistent in this family of hirds that 

 often after they have left the spot the air retains a musk-like smell. The nest 

 of the amakihi is a simple structure of twigs, leaves and roots and is usually, 

 though not always, near the ground. 



The Genus Oreomystis. 



There is a small olive-green bird occurring on Hawaii, belonging to an 

 entirely ditferent genus -^ that is so similar in appearance to the species of 

 amakihi found in the group that the Ilawaiians themselves did not give it a 

 separate name. Several species on the other islands, however, are easily 

 recognized, the adult males especially ditfering greatly in color, voice. hai)its 

 and general appearance from the species of amakihi to be found on the respec- 

 tive islands. 



The difference between the two genera which would serve to most readily 

 distinguish them in the field, is that instead of feeding almost entirely on 

 Insects and nectar from the Howers and leaves, as is the habit of the amakihi. 

 all of the species of Oreomystis feed in a large part on insects secured from the 

 trunks and limbs of the forest trees and bushes. They are all expert climbers, 

 working either upward or downv/ard and along the upper and undei* side of 

 the horizontal ])ranches. The difference in color of the species on the dif- 

 ferent islands is a most remarkable feature, since gray-green, oli\e-green, 

 yellow-olive, yellow and bright red species occur. 



Thrush and Finch-like Birds. 

 The five genera mentioned above are represented on all of the large 

 islands by one species or another. A large brown thrush-like bird '■ that is a 

 remarkable songster, and the stocky, olive-green yelloAV-headed on" are the 

 two species that are next in abundance. Their representatives on Oahu liave 

 been extinct for many years, but on oiie oi" the other of the islands one or both are 

 occasionally seen by the casual observer about camjis an<l mountain houses. 



Oreomystis. ^ Phmornis spp. " Psittacirostra psittacca. 



(Description of Plate Continued from Opposite Page.) 

 {Cirklopfi anna) : Hawaii. 5. Kona Thick-bill (Chloridops lonn) : Hawaii, (i. Nukupmi 

 (Heterorhynchm hanapepe) : Kauai. 7. O-o (Moho nohilis) : Hawaii. 8. Maui Parrot-bill 

 (P.^eudone.stor x<intho])hn/s) : Maui. 9. H(ier(yrhynclin.^ \Hci<h(.-<: Oalni — oxtint't. 10. .Vkialoa 

 {Eemignaihus obscunis) : Hawaii. 11. Falnuria dolri : .Maui, Molokai, a vory rare sp«cies. 

 12. Molokai o-o {Moho bishopi) : Molokai, very raro. 



