

PH.EOKNIS MYIADESTINA. 



KAMAO. 



? Tcenioptera obscura, ? , Cassin, U.S. Expl. Exped., Mamm. & Orn. p. 155 (1858). 



Phceornis myadestina [sic], Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1887, p. 90; id. op. cit. 1889, p. 383 ; 



S. B. Wilson, Ibis, 1890, p. 195. 



„ myiadestina, Sclater, Ibis, 1888, p. 143. 



This species, which inhabits Kauai, has been lately described as new by Dr. Stejneger 

 (as above cited). I obtained specimens on that island from nearly the same locality 

 as he did, several being in immature plumage. Dr. Stejneger gives as native names 

 Ou or Uapauau, neither of which is, as far as I know, applied to this bird, Kamao being 

 that by which it is generally known. 



In a letter received lately from my friend Mr. F. Gay, he raises the question of 

 there being another species of Phceornis found on Kauai, and his remarks on a skin 

 recently obtained by a collector are as follows : — " It appeared to me to be a species 

 of Kamao, the only difference being a narrower bill, lighter coloured feet, and a 

 smaller body, and, according to the collector, lighter coloured feathers about the head. 

 Our natives always said there was a different variety called the Puaiohi, which they 

 said had a different note from the common Kamao. I never believed much in what 

 the natives said about it, as the Kamao varies so much in colour and spots. This bird 

 may be more common on the windward side of the island, as the name of Puaiohi is 

 more commonly used there than here." Mr. Gay adds : " the single skin I saw was a 

 poor one, having been partly eaten by rats." 



