AVIFAUNA OF LATSAN, ETC. 155 



probably belonged to this bird, and which he describes as a round and shallow cup, composed 

 of mosses and dry bents. Palmer, in spite of much attention, did not succeed in discovering 

 the c-s From Hawaii be reports having seen these birds collecting twigs on November 9th 

 and on November 18th. They were then in splendid plumage, always going about in pan s 

 and bein- very plentiful at elevations of from 5000 to 8000 feet and so on. On November 24th 

 Palmer makes the following note Their breeding-season is, I believe, now on, for they 

 are always seen in pairs, and several were seen carrying moss in their bills. The Himatione 

 eanguinea and Pheeornis obscura are now also, I believe, nesting." 



The following notes seem to contradict the former, except we believe that these birds 

 breed both in spring and autumn. In the first week of May, on Hawaii, Palmer says 

 he saw them carrying moss in their bills, and saw a pair in copula, and on June 2nd Palmer 

 found a nest on Manna Kea, on which the bird was still building. It was almost on the top 

 of a tall Ohia-tree. Palmer savs :-" These birds place their nests on the thin branches out of 

 reach from the stem, so that it is impossible (sic !) to take eggs from them. One would have 

 to climb the tall Ohias and to cut the branches off and let them fall." 



It is to be deeply regretted that none of the collectors showed enough pluck to procure 

 the eggs of restiaria, for it is not very likely that any such efforts to explore the ornithological 

 treasures of the Sandwich Islands as were made within the last decade will be made in the 

 near future. 



In part vii. of his work, however, Mr. Wilson gives a photographic plate of the nest ot 

 restiaria coceinea ; it is an open structure, like those of Eimatione and Chlorodrepanis. 



7. 



