

CHJ1T0PTILA ANGIISTIPLtJMA. 



Entomiza? angustipluma, Peale, U.S. Expl. Exped., Birds, p. 147, pi. xl. fig. 2* (1848). 

 Anthochara ? angustipluma, Hartlaub, Arch, f . Naturgesch. 1852, i. p. 131 ; Gr. R. Gray, Cat. B. 



Trop. Isl. p. 13 (1859). 

 Mohoa angustipluma, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Sc. Pliilad. 1855, p. 440. 

 Moho angustipluma, Cassin, U.S. Expl. Exped., Mamm. & Orn. p. 168, pi. xi. fig. 1 * (1858) ; 



Dole, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1869, p. 296 ; id. Hawaiian Alman. 1879, p. 47. 

 Chcetoptila angustipluma, " Sclater, 1868/' Gr. R. Gray, Hand-list, i. p. 159 (1869); Sclater, Ibis, 



1871, pp. 358, 360; id. op. tit. 1879, p. 92. 



* Figurce notabiles. 



In his ' Catalogue of the Birds of the Tropical Islands,' Gray doubtfully cites Moho 

 atriceps of Lesson [Traite d'Orn. p. 646 (1831)] as identical with this species, but the 

 description shows that this is unlikely, for the flanks are not " vert-olive," nor is the 

 breast black. However this may be, Peale during the Exploring Expedition in the 

 ' Vincennes ' and ' Peacock ' certainly met with the bird ; and, failing Lesson, to him all 

 credit is due for the original description as well as for the discovery. Peale found it in 

 the wooded districts of the island of Hawaii, where he obtained a single specimen, 

 and, while premising that its habits were those of a Melvphaga, he included it doubt- 

 fully in Swainson's genus Entomiza, pending further investigation ; moreover, he 

 bestowed upon it the specific name of angustipluma, derived from the peculiar nature 

 of the feathers, and gave a figure in his account of the above expedition. Cassin trans- 

 ferred it to the genus Mohoa or Moho, where it remained until 1869, when the name 

 Chcetojotila, suggested by Mr. Sclater, was accepted by G. E. Gray in his ' Hand-list ' ; 

 and now Dr. Gadow's examination of my specimen — the first brought to Europe — 

 indicates that the accepted view of its relationship to the Meliphagidce is perfectly 

 correct. Judge Dole gives Molokai as an additional habitat of this species, a 

 statement which I am unable to corroborate at present. It may be of interest 

 to quote here Peale's original remarks, as follows : — " This rare species was 

 obtained at the Island of Hawaii. It is very active and graceful in its motions, 

 frequents the woody districts, and is disposed to be musical, having most of the 

 habits of a Meliphaga; they are generally found about those trees which are in 

 flower." 



" We have placed this . . . species in Mr. Swainson's genus Entomiza, with a doubt 



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