

appearance of the bird is of itself almost sufficient explanation of the slight interest 

 taken in it, except by ornithologists such as Mr. Sclater, with whom considerations of 

 science outweigh those of beauty of plumage. That distinguished naturalist was the 

 first to propose for it the new generic name of Phceomis in 1859. 



This sombre-coloured bird is still fairly common in most districts of Hawaii, and in 

 some is perhaps the species most frequently met with ; yet this may be due to its 

 familiar habits, for the Omau, to use its most common native name, is a very tame 

 bird, and while not absolutely courting man's society, shows little fear of his presence. 

 Indeed, it was no uncommon occurrence for one of them to alight within a few yards 

 of me and begin its melodious strain, which somewhat resembles that of our Common 

 Thrush, though inferior in volume, and is so varied and sweet that the bird is fairly 

 entitled to be called the HaAvaiian Nightingale. Mr. D. H. Hitchcock, of Hilo, told 

 me that many years ago the people used to bring him the young, which he caged for 

 the sake of their song ; and this is the only instance I know of a native forest-bird 

 being successfully kept for any length of time in captivity. The Lark-like habit of 

 singing on the wing, characteristic of P. myiadestina of Kauai, mentioned by Dr. 

 Stejneger on Mr. Knudsen's authority, I observed also in this species. The call-note 

 of P. obscura is a particularly clear tweet, easily recognized; but it utters a very 

 remarkable hissing sound when approached closely. Its flight is slow, and it may be 

 shot without difficulty while flying from tree to tree ; while it possesses a very 

 peculiar habit (not noticed by Mr. Knudsen with regard to P. myiadestina) of quivering 

 with its wings when perched on a branch, as if shivering with cold or seized with an 

 attack of ague. The chief food consists of berries, particularly those of the kopiko 

 (Straussia hawaiiensis), a tree which is very common in forests throughout the group. 

 The vertical range extends from the lowest forest-zone up to 5000 feet, and probably 

 higher. The branch shown in the Plate is that of the lama [Mala sandvicensis), a 

 very conspicuous shrub in some districts of Hawaii, particularly between Waimea and 

 Puuanahulu ; its shining red berries have a slight resemblance to those of the coffee, 

 and are habitually eaten by the inhabitants. 



Description. — Adult male. Entire upper surface dull hair-brown, except the fore- 

 head, which is grey ; lower parts ashy grey, shading into white on the abdomen ; under 

 tail-coverts buff; flanks dull russet; wing-quills dull brown, russet at the base, and 

 edged on the outer web with the same colour ; tail brown ; irides dark hazel ; bill 

 and feet dark brown, the soles yellow. 



Adult female. Differs from the male in having the ashy grey of the underparts 

 somewhat lighter and more uniform in tint. 



Dimensions. — Total length 6'75 inches, wing from carpal joint 4, culmen '62, tarsus 

 1-35, tail 3. 



