315a ISLAND LIFE 



45. Acrulocercus iiobilis Hawaii. 



46. ,, bishopi Molokai. 



47. Ohcetoptila angustipluma Hawaii; probably extinct. 



TURDID^. 



48. Phseornis myiadestina Kauai. 



49. ,, lanaiensis Molokai, Laiiai. 



50. ,, obscura . Hawaii. 



51. ,, palmeri Kauai. 



52. , , oahuensis Oahu ; probably extinct. 



MUSCICAPID^. 



53. Chasiempis sandvichensis Hawaii. 



54. ,, gayi Oahu. 



55. . ,, sclateri Kauai. 



The preceding list differs considerably from that given 

 in the last edition of this volume, not only by the increase 

 of the species from 37 to 55, but in the omission of the 

 finch family altogether. This has been done because a 

 careful examination by Dr. Hans Gadow of the structure 

 of the three birds formerly so classed, from specimens 

 preserved in spirits, has shown that all three, and some 

 other species since discovered, are really allied to the 

 curious little birds forming the peculiar family Drepani- 

 didse, which now comprise twelve genera and forty-one 

 species. The same conclusion was first reached by Mr. 

 Perkins, who carefully observed the motions and habits of 

 the birds in question, and found such a curious similarity 

 that he was satisfied they belonged to one group. 



From a consideration of the whole structure of this 

 interesting family, Dr. Gadow considers them to be most 

 nearly allied to the Coerebidse, arid perhaps also to the 

 Tanagridse, both peculiar American families. This fact, 

 if correct, greatly modifies the conclusion hitherto reached, 

 that the general affinities of Sandwich Island birds were 

 Australasian rather than American. The Meliphagidae or 

 honeysuckers, a specially abundant group throughout 

 Australasia, are only represented by five species, and the 

 Muscicapidse or flycatchers, also abundant in Australasia 

 as well as in all the continents except America, only by 



