Some Birds of Molokai. 
3y Wm. ALANSON BRYAN. 
WITH a view to securing suitable material for the series of 
Hawalian bird groups being assembled in the Bishop Museum, the 
writer spent two months (April 15 to June 15, 1907) collecting in 
the mountains of Molokai. The collecting of the skins and the 
necessary material required in the Museum’s work afforded a favor- 
able opportunity for making some detailed field observations on 
the nests and habits of many of the birds found on this seldom 
visited island. In addition to a general report of the expedition, 
the Molokai Olomao (Ph@ornts rutha) is herein described as new 
and shown to be a species closely allied to P. /anazensis with 
which it has formerly been united. , 
The popular and, in a large degree, the scientific interest in 
the expedition centers about the securing of specimens of the Hoa 
or Black Mamo (Drepanorhamphus funereus) which is one of the 
rarest of living birds. ‘The search of the forests was made with a 
view to securing specimens of this species if possible. As a con- 
sequence the collecting of other mountain birds was in a sense 
incidental to this main endeavor. Locating the present haunts of 
the few remaining examples of the Hoa, made frequent change of 
station necessary, and, as a result, practically the whole forest area 
of the island was visited before the coveted locality was finally 
found. ‘The most extended stay, however, was made at Kamoku 
camp, and it was at this place that most of the material here re- 
ported was obtained. 
Kamoku camp is a shelter cabin belonging to the Molokai 
ranch. It is located on the southwest side of Hanakalilolilo moun- 
tain, near the head of Waikolu valley, and it is well suited to the 
requirements of the collector. It is about 4000 feet elevation and 
on the edge of the great bog forest at the head of Waikolu and 
Pelekunu valleys. In this vicinity have been secured most of the 
specimens of birds of the island, now in museums. The region is 
also important as the type locality for the Hoa and certain other 
birds peculiar to Molokai. 
133) (43) 
