5? HAWAIIAN BIRDS. 



,son searched the above region for the bird, and I have visited it 

 many times since, but to no purpose. To explore this region 

 thoroughly, however, with a dog would require weeks of per- 

 sistent effort and would prove a most tremendous task. 



What between the uneven and boggy nature of the ground, the 

 presence on all sides of holes in the lava dangerous to limb if not 

 to fife, and the heavy growth over all which renders walking 

 almost as difficult as through deep snow, the difficulties of explorr 

 ation are of no ordinary kind. But more disheartening to the 

 naturalist than all else is the presence of the mongoose which is 

 there, as it is everywhere on the island, in force, and seems to 

 render the quest for the moho at this late day an absolutely hope- 

 less one. 



Description. — Adult. Above rufous, lighter on head; side of head, 

 chin, and throat whitish; beneath lighter rufous. Length about syi 



inches. 



iPennula sandwichensis (Gmelin). 



There is but one known specimen of this rail, that in the Ley- 

 den museum. I follow Sharpe and Rothschild in recognizing this 

 specimen as the type of Latham's species, but it appears by no 

 means certain that the specimen in question ever came from the 

 Hawaiian Islands. To recognize a third species (P. wiUoni) is 

 hut to add to the existing doubt and confusion. 



The following is a description of the Leyden specimen by 

 Sharpe as quoted by. Rothschild : 



"Adult (type of species). General colour above ruddy brown with 

 Uackish centres to the feathers, producing a broadly striped appearance; 

 ■wing-coverts like the back and very much elongated; quills blackish, with 

 rusty-brown edges; tail-feathers blackish, completely hidden by the long 

 feathers of the rump ; head more uniform brown, with a ruddy tinge ; sides 

 of face lil«: the head; throat and under surface of body dark vinous red, 

 a little paler on the latter. Total length 5^3 inches, culmen 0.8, wing 2.8, 

 tail 0.7, tarsus 1.3, middle toe and claw 1.35." 



Porzanula palmeri, Froh. Laysan Crake. 



This little rail is very abundant on the island of Laysan, where 



