Some Birds of Molokai. 83 



frequenting the same sections throughout the year. They never 

 seem to range very far from any particular locality where they have 

 taken up a residence. If they do go afield, it is always by short 

 covered flights. For the Olomao is by nature a shy, timid bird, 

 and for that reason, instead of exposing itself in the open it prefers 

 to proceed from place to place by short low flights, usually through 

 the shade of the forest. Again, a flock of Olomao, even a flock in 

 the most restricted sense, has, I believe, never been seen. When 

 they rove about at all they are alone, or at most in pairs. In my 

 experience with the genus on Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii, I have 

 never seen them high up in the air, and sustain a flight of any 

 distance above the tree tops. Their buoyant spirit not infrequently 

 lifts them into the air in a prolonged burst of song, but when they 

 have finished the effort they drop back into cover and if so minded, 

 work off through the trees to some other favorite retreat. In 

 marked contrast with the habits of the wide-ranging Apapane or 

 Iiwi, I have never witnessed a bold flight of even a solitary indi- 

 vidual from the high forest-clad palis where it abounds. 



It would be perfectly possible physically for the Olomao to 

 readily pass back and forth from Molokai to Lauai, or to Maui, or 

 Oahu, so far as the inter-island distances and its power of flight 

 are concerned. But I am convinced that its habits are such that 

 it does not venture voluntarily on such fights. Furthermore, by 

 rarely exposing itself in the open or getting far from cover, it re- 

 duces the possibility of such migrations being accidentally made 

 through the agencies of wind and weather to the minimum. 

 Hence it is highly probable that the inter-island migration and 

 breeding of sufficient numbers of the two forms to influence the 

 mass of individuals on both islands sufficiently to keep them breed- 

 ing to type does not occur. 



The general habits of the Molokai species coincide very closely 

 with those of the other species of the genus. Berries are by far its 

 commonest food. While insects were found in the stomachs of a 

 part of the birds examined, the}- occurred in no considerable 

 quantity in any of them. Several times I came on the birds feed- 

 ing on berries and had an opportunity to watch their behavior 

 at close range unobserved. It was thus possible for me to settle 

 some minor points as to their behavior, particularlv as to the 



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