33 



HEMIGNATHUS OBSCURUS ELLISIANUS 



Hemignathus obscurus Lichtenstein (non Gmelin !), Abh. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1838, p. 440 

 pi. 5 fig. 1 (Oahu). 



Drepanis {Hemignathus) ellisiana Gray, Cat. B. Trop. Is. Pac. Oc. p. 9 (1859 — based on 

 Lichtenstein's H. obscurus from Oahu. 



Hemignathus lichtensteini Scott Wilson, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 6, vol. IV, p. 401 (1889 — 

 Oahu, based on the Berlin specimen). 



Hemignathus ellisianus Rothschild, Avif. of Laysan, etc., p. 87 (1893) p. 310 (1900). 



and lichtensteini, figured and described by Lichtenstein, in 1838, under 

 the name of Hemignathus obscurus. It is true that Lichtenstein 



says, that Herr Deppe procured several specimens, but there is only one 

 in the Berlin Museum, and we have no knowledge where the others may be, 

 if they are still in existence. 



There can hardly be any doubt that H. obscurus ellisianus is extinct on 

 Oahu, where it was discovered by Deppe. All recent collectors, from Wilson 

 and Palmer to this day, have failed to find a trace of it. Although collecting 

 in the dense forests and rugged mountains of Oahu is most difficult, we may 

 suppose that at least one of these collectors would have come across it, if 

 it still existed. 



The following is the description made by Dr. Hartert of the type in 

 Berlin : — 



"Above greenish olive-brown, more greenish on the back and rump, 

 and somewhat more greyish on the head and hind-neck ; the dark bases of 

 the feathers on the head showing through, lores deep brown. A distinct 

 yellow superciliary stripe. Chin, throat, and middle of abdomen dull brownish 

 white (apparently somewhat faded). Upper breast olive-greenish, sides of 

 breast and flanks dull olive-greenish, more olive-brown on the flanks. Wings 

 and tail deep brown, bordered with yellowish green. Under-wing coverts dull 

 white. Bill brown, somewhat horn-brown, but not blackish, as in the other 

 forms of Hemignathus. 



It is not probable that the bill and feet are faded, as in specimens of 

 Heterorhynchus lucidus collected and stuffed at the same time and kept side by 

 side with H. o. ellisianus, the bill and feet are still blackish and not brown. 



Wing 83-5, tail 53, culmen 56, bill from gape to tip in a straight line 47-5, 

 lower mandible from mental apex to tip 40 mm." 



(Plate 4, Fig. 1.) 



GRAY. 



know only of one single specimen, the type of the names ellisianus 



