104 



AVIFAUNA OF LATSAN, ETC. 



The adult male of this species closely resembles the corresponding sex of IE. hanapepe, 

 but can always be distinguished by the colour of the back, the much less whitish 

 lower abdomen, and by having some more blackish feathers on the forehead, besides 

 other slight differences. The females differ much more from each other. 



One specimen, marked " young male " by the collector, closely resembles the only two females 

 he obtained. 



Hob. Island of Maui. 



This species was discovered by my collector in 1892. It inhabits the forest-region of the 

 little-known and unexplored island of Maui. Although not at all plentiful it was less rare 

 than II hanapepe on Kauai, to which it is very similar in habits. It is not shy, but some- 

 what scarce. 



The stomachs contained small beetles, skins of large grubs, and other insects. 



Sometimes this species gives vent to a prolonged song, almost similar to that of the 

 introduced American Carpodacus, though considerably lower in tone. Its call-note is like 

 that of _ET. wilsoni from Hawaii. 



As regards its mode of feeding, Palmer says : — " It uses its lower mandible to hammer 

 away the bark and then hooks the insects out with its long upper mandible. The hammeriDg 

 sound can be heard at a short distance. It also pulls insects out of the moss with the upper 

 mandible and then, to kill them, shakes them like a dog does a rat." 



