Some Birds of Molokat. 79 
from the topmost branch of some dead Ohia tree, standing in an 
opening in the dense surrounding forest. From such a station it 
will often sing intermittently for an hour or more. It is liable at 
any time to disappear in the woods, only to return presently to 
take up its song again. 
The adult male is, by reason of its golden yellow head, a con- 
spicuous bird, but with the head has been supplied a large amount 
of caution which results in it being much rarer in collections than 
would otherwise be the case. The female and the immature of 
both sexes are inconspicuously colored, and for that reason are 
often passed by the collector unobserved. As is so often the case, 
owing to the curiosity and want of fear in the young, more imma- 
ture than adult birds are always collected. 
The flight of the Ou is rapid, heavy and direct. During their 
more extended flights, as from one ridge to another, they are more 
often than otherwise in small flocks. Birds of both sexes answer 
a decoy whistle frequently, coming within easy range of one, eye- 
ing the intruder narrowly all the while. A sudden motion, or an 
unusual noise will invariably put the bird to flight, when they will 
dart off without further ado, not infrequently flying half a mile or 
more in a direct line. Like the Apapane, I have observed the Ou 
making long-sustained flights from the palis of the large valleys, 
that carried them readily from one valley to another. At such 
times they rarely, if ever, soar or circle about, but set off directly 
for the fresher fields with a show of knowledge and determination 
that makes them while on the wing, easily distinguished from their 
neighbors, as far as they can be seen. 
The series of skins give the following maximum, minimum 
and average measurements : 
FOUR ADULT MALES. 
Length Wing Tail ‘Tarsus Toe Culmen 
Minimum .------ 7.00 3.50 2.20 87 go 60 
Average --------- 7.06 3.70 2.24 go 97 60 
Maximum....... 7.25 3.80 2.40 g2 1.05 60 
FIVE FEMALES. 
Minimum ....... 6.75 3.50 2.10 7 95 60 
Average --------- 7.00 3.61 222 go 95 60 
Maximum ....... Tos 3.70 2.40 g2 95 60 
FOUR IMMATURE. 
Minimum -....-- 6.70 3.50 215 .- .- -: 
Average --------- 6.92 3.59 2.20 : 95 60 
Maximum ....... 7.10 3.65 2.40 .- .- -- 
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