First Impressions of Hawaiian Birds 



157 



of the Oreomyza viana. The songs of certain other species, as the Amikihi 

 {Himatione virens), are short and feeble. Though pleasant to the ear, 

 thej^ cannot take high rank in the scale of bird music. There are other 

 species whose songs are both sweet and melodious, like the Ou. Then 

 there are others again, like the liwi and the Akakani, which sing the j'ear 

 through, and at certain seasons are the most persistent singers I have ever 

 heard. The latter, especially, is notable for singing when it is through 



From Wilson's ' Aves Hawaiiensis ' 



IIWI (Hemignathus procerus) 



feeding, and it has assembled in small colonies in the tree -tops for its 

 midday siesta. At such times most species are silent. But the Akakani 

 sings itself to sleep with a soft, delightful lullaby to which the gentle rustle 

 of the tree -tops forms a fitting accompaniment. The liwi has a variety 

 of notes, most of which are sweet and pleasing. But where birds give so 

 freely of their songs as do the liwi and the Akakani, surely we may delight 

 in their spontaneousness and not be over-critical as to the quality. 



In conclusion, a word may be added as to the future of the Hawaiian 



