68 Director's Annual Report. 



blackish moss stem fibres mentioned above, have been put in place, 

 while two or three small wisps oi pulu fibre have been woven into 

 the brim. The eggs of the Iiwi are as yet undescribed. 



Palmeria dolei ( Wilson ) . 



I was unfortunate in not securing this species, though five 

 individuals were seen in one flock at one time, and three at an- 

 other, flying out over the pali at the head of Pelekunu valley. 

 It was not seen or heard elsewhere. Mr. Munro, who immediately 

 preceded me in the same woods, did not see the species at all dur- 

 ing his mouth's work about Puualu Mountain. We therefore feel 

 assured that though the bird is still to be had on Molokai, it is by 

 no means as abundant as one might conclude from reading Mr. 

 Perkins' account, published some years ago, where he records that 

 he "assembled a flock of no less than nine adult birds at the same 

 time iu one small Ohia tree." 



Himatione sanguinea (Gmel.). 



The Apapane is the most abundant species on Molokai. A short 

 series was taken for comparison with the Museum's material, which 

 has been collected at the same season on the other islands of the 

 group. The song aud general habits have already been fully re- 

 corded elsewhere. However, certain observations concerning the 

 mating performance seem to be new. During the early part of our 

 stay the Apapane were in the height of the mating season. The 

 song of both sexes was frequent and varied. Quarrels between 

 the contesting males w T ere of common occurrence, and were often 

 apparently extended into feuds. During the excitement of the 

 mating period either sex is easily decoyed by imitating the notes 

 of the opposite sex. The love dance described elsewhere (Oc. P. 

 B. P. B. Mus., vol. i, no. 2, p. 43) in the series of notes was re- 

 peatedly witnessed. Iu addition to the fluttering dance there 

 described, on one occasion I saw it carried to the extent of the 

 male bird affiectionately caressing its mate with the beak. The 

 whole performance lasted several minutes. 



The high palis of the island furnished an excellent opportu- 

 nitv to observe the Apapane in sustained flight. Flocks of seven 



[1581 



