8 HA WAIIAN BIRDS. 



visit these shores, but the number of observers is so small that, 

 for the most part, the visitors escape detection. Examples of 

 this class are the black-bellied plover, sanderling, red phalarope, 

 red-breasted merganser and red-backed sandpiper, most of 

 which are recorded for the first time as Hawaiian birds in this 

 list. 



Some of these species, like the sanderling, are probably even 

 now forming the habit of annual migration to the islands, while 

 others are to be regarded, so far as our present knowledge goes, 

 as purely casual visitors. 



The writer feels sure that the list of these stragglers will con- 

 tinually increase, as observers multiply, until it includes practi- 

 cally all the American west coast migratory species that are suf- 

 ficiently strong of wing to endure the protracted and laborious 

 flight over the ocean. 



OBSTACLES TO ORNITHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Prior to the investigations of the above-named naturalists, 

 next to nothing was known of the habits of Hawaiian birds. 

 Their labors, particularly those of Mr. Perkins, have done much 

 to enlighten us upon this subject. The difficulties, however, in 

 this branch of the study, though not insuperable, are very great. 

 So that, notwithstanding the important contributions of the 

 English naturalists, there is still offered an inviting field for fu- 

 ture study and investigation. 



The chief obstacles in the way of field studies in the islands 

 are the dense forest, the steep mountain ridges beset with dense 

 vegetation, and the extreme rainfall. The woods are so dense 

 that progress in them is all but impossible except by cutting 

 trails, and, as the tangled growth restricts vision upon all sides, 

 birds are very difficult to watch and keep in sight. In this re- 

 spect, however, a new era is dawning, at least upon the Island 

 of Hawaii. Good roads and passable trails not only permit, but 

 invite, the steps of the nature-lover into the heart of the forest 

 which before was a terra incognita to all but the most hardy and 

 the most enthusiastic. Opportunities to study Hawaiian birds 

 are thus ofifered not only to the professional ornithologist, but 



