HAWAIIAN BIRDS. 135 



Description. — Adult. Above black; below bluish; thighs purplish 

 brown; under tail-coverts white; bill, frontal plate, legs and feet red. 

 Length about 17.25. 



Many years ago the domestic fowl took to the forests and soon 

 became as wild there, and in as complete a state of nature, as be- 

 fore it was domesticated. In a similar way, though perhaps not 

 quite to the same extent, the turkey returned to its natural wild 

 state, and in many regions became abundant. Both species fur- 

 nished excellent sport, and supplied welcome tidbits for the table. 

 The introduction of the mongoose changed all this, ' and today 

 both birds have been practically exterminated by that animal, 

 assisted, no doubt, by wild cats and wild dogs, both the latter 

 being numerous in some regions. 



