AVIFAUNA OF LATSAN, ETC. 



07 



4. PH^ORNIS PALMER I, spec. nov. 



PUAIOHI. 



Differt ab omnibus speciebus generis Phaornis alis multo brevioribus, rostro graciliore, pedibus pallidis. 



Adult female. Above dusky olive-brown, like Ph. obscura, a light loral spot before the eye. 

 Chin, throat, and sides of the body ashy brown, somewhat hair-brown; middle of abdomen 

 whitish. Wing-pattern similar to that of Ph. myiadestina, Stejn. ; outer edges of 

 primaries yellowish brown. Outer pair of tail-feathers with the inner web whitish 

 except the edge near the base, outer web pale drab ; second pair drab, with a long 

 white mark on the inner web, becoming quite narrow on approaching the base ; third 

 pair with a small white tip ; central pairs of the colour of the back. Iris dark brown ; 

 bill black; legs and feet light flesh-colour. The total length is given by Palmer as, 

 measured in the flesh, 7tV inches, but in skins it is apparently not more than Q>h inches. 

 Wing 315 inches, tail 2*4, tarsus 1*15, middle toe without claw OG5, culmen 0*7, breadth 

 of bill just above nostrils 25. 



Young. Feathers above brown, with a broad blackish border at the tip, and before this a 

 creamy buff more or less triangular spot. Feathers below ashy brown at base, then 

 light cream-colour and broadly bordered with blackish brown, these borders broadest 

 and blackest on the breast, while they become indistinct towards the throat and chin 

 and again near the anal region. Under tail-coverts creamy buff. Iris dark hazel ; tarsi 

 grey ; soles pale yellow ; bill black. Wiug 3'15 inches, tarsus 1"26, culmen 0'7, breadth 

 of bill, just above nostrils 0*25. 



Hab. Halemanu, Kauai. 



The type was shot on March 21st, 1891, at Halemanu, Kauai, on the property of 

 Mr. Knudsen. I was in hopes of getting some more adult birds in better condition, as the 

 one I had was badly damaged by rats ; in 1893, therefore, I sent Palmer again to Kauai, 

 where he procured two more specimens, but both young spotted ones. These birds must be 

 very rare, as they were only found at Halemanu. 



Palmer says in his diary in connection with this bird : — " This Thrush is much smaller 

 than the common Kamao. When I first saw it it was sitting on a Koa tree not more 

 than five feet from the ground, and keeping very quiet ; I for a moment thought it was a 



