HAWAIIAN BIRDS. 43 



Mr. Wilson was informed by natives that the nukupuu eats 

 also bananas and oranges, an interesting fact if confirmed. 



Description. — Colored much like others of the genus, especially the H. 

 wilsoni of Hawaii, from which it is at once distinguished by the curved, 

 instead of straight, under mandible. Length about S-6o inches. 



Viridonia sagittirostris Rothschild. Green Solitaire. 



This beautiful bird was one of the most interesting discoveries 

 made by Palmer, Mr. Rothschilds' collector, in the island of Ha- 

 waii where alone it is found. It is one of the rarest prizes among 

 existing Hawaiian birds and its habitat is limited to the dense for- 

 est a few miles in extent upon either side of the Wailuku River, 

 at an elevation of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. Yet even in its 

 stronghold one may watch for it for days in vain, unless he know 

 its call note, when occasionally a pair may be called up out of the 

 forest fastnesses. Having attracted its attention in this way I 

 have succeeded on several occasions in luring one up to within 

 a dozen feet, and have listened to its rather plaintive call note. 



The long straight bill is oriole-like in character and, like the 

 orioles, the Viridonia seems to live chiefly upon insects which it 

 gleans from the foliage of the ohias, to which tree it seems to con- 

 fine its attention chiefly. The bird seems to be wholly unknown to 

 the natives and I have been unable to learn its native name, if 

 indeed it ever had one. I have therefore ventured to call it as 

 above. 



Description. Adult. Above bright olive-green, brighter on head and 

 rump ; an inconspicuous dusky spot anterior to eye ; below yellowish-green ; 

 wing dark brown, feathers edged with green; a tail of a lighter shade of 

 brown, edged with green ; under surface- of wing dark ash color ; elbow 

 yellow; under wing-coverts light yellowish green; legs plumbeus; bill 

 bluish-black, base of L. M. bluish. Length about 6.5. Female generally 

 duller and smaller. 



Chlorodrepanis virens (Gmelin). Hawaii Amakihi. 



This little green and yellow bird is one of the commonest of 

 the island species, and is very widely diffused. In this respect it 



