66 HAWAIIAN BIRDS. 



all the specimens of Palmeria thus far examined by me. I allude 

 to the powerful scent noticeable in the case of every other member 

 of the group, and which I have come to consider as perfectly dis- 

 tinctive. I am assured, however, by Mr. Perkins that in his own 

 experience the Drepanine odor to the bird is very noticeable at 

 certain seasons. As the natives seem not to know the Palmeria 

 and to have no name for it, I suggest the above appellation. 



Description. — Adult. Upper parts, wing and tail black; feathers of mid- 

 dle back and rump tipped with scarlet and with grayish shaft-streaks ; 

 elbow and edge of wing scarlet, secondaries and greater wing coverts 

 tipped with grey; primaries edged with same; a broad nuchal band of 

 scarlet, extending over the side of neck; an occipital crest of pointed 

 lanceolate feathers black with light shaft streaks; a crest of dirty white 

 feathers, nearly an inch long, curved forward from the forehead and 

 partly covering the bill. A light scarlet ring around the eye, broadest 

 above. Throat and upper breast of a beautiful hoary grey; rest of under 

 parts black with grey shaft-streaks; feathers of belly and flanks tipped 

 with crimson; tibiae orange scarlet. Bills and legs black. Length about 

 7 inches. Female smaller. 



The young repaat the pattern of coloration of the adult even to an incip- 

 ient crest, but the crimson is replaced by brownish pink. The legs are 

 brownish black, and the bill is black with orange patches especially on the 

 lower mandible. 



Himatione sanguinea (Gmelin). Akakani; Apapani. 



This is one of the most beautiful and abundant of the island 

 birds and, like the iiwi. is found upon all the islands. 



In its general habits the akakani resembles the iiwi, but is 

 even more dependent for food upon the nectar of flowers than 

 that bird. Though perhaps a less persistent insect hunter the 

 year round than the iiwi, the akakani is dependent to a great 

 extent for a livelihood upon insects, and is extremely partial to the 

 little green and brown caterpillar of which nearly all the forest 

 Thirds are so fond. 



Like the iiwi its feathers were much used in ancient times to 

 make cloaks, helmets and leis for the priests and lesser chiefs. 



The akakani's song is sweet to the ear but is monotonous, and 

 is delivered at all seasons of the year and at all times of the day. 

 In fact this species and the iiwi rank as the most persistent song- 



