AVIFAUNA OF LATSAN, ETC. 



101) 



16. VIRIDONIA SAGITTIROSTRIS, Rothsch. 



Viridonia sagittirostris, Rothsch. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 189.2, x. p. 112. 



Adult male. Upper parts bright olive-green, rather brighter and more yellowish on the 

 forehead, sides of the head, and upper tail-coverts. Underparts more yellowish 

 olive-green; wings blackish brown, the primaries narrowly and the secondaries more 

 broadly margined with yellowish green; tail blackish brown, with yellowish-green 

 margins. Under surface of the wings dark ashy, the quills margined with dull white 

 on their basal half; margin of the wing yellowish; under Aving-eovcrts dull white, 

 tinged with greenish yellow. Iris hazel, with reddish tinge ; upper mandible black, 

 under mandible black with a brown tinge, both bluish slaty at base ; tarsi bright 

 blackish grey ; soles flesh-colour with a yellow tinge. 



Adult female. The first female sent by Palmer, the type of the original description, is 

 rather duller in tinge of colour both on the upper and under parts, and appears to be a 

 younger specimen, for another female is entirely similar in colour to the male. The 

 iris of the former was " dark hazel," much darker than in the adult male. 



6 ad. (type). Wing 3*25 inches, tail 2*1, tarsus 0*9, culmen 0*9. 



6 ad. (figured on Plate). Wing 3*2 inches, tail 21, tarsus 0*80, culmen - 89. 



2 ad. Wing 3*05 inches, tail 203, tarsus 0"85, culmen 0*80. 



2 (type) (figured on Plate). Wing 2 9G inches, tail 1*8, culmen 0'9, tarsus 0*80. 



Total length, measured by Palmer in the flesh, 6 J- to inches. 



Hab. Island of Hawaii. 



Palmer describes the discovery of this rare and singular bird as follows: — "April 23rd, 

 1892. When marching along the slopes of Mauna Kea, above Hilo, and not far from 

 Wailuku, through old forest of Ohia, here and there intermixed with the Koa, and much 

 enjoying the beautiful contrast of the thousands of bright crimson-coloured flowers of the 

 lofty Ohias, which were frequented by numerous birds of the common Hawaiian species, 

 I heard a strange note coming from an Ohia tree that I had just passed. At the first 

 moment I thought it might be an Akialoa's note, but on hearing it again was convinced I 

 had never heard it before. I soon saw the bird among the leaves, but before I could fire it 



Q2 



