AVIFAUNA OF LAYSAN, ETC. 



1G5 



33. DREPANORHAMPHUS FUNEREUS (Newton). 



Drepanis funerea, A. Newton, Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud. 1893, p. 690 ; Wilson & Evans, Avos Ilawaiiens. pt. v. 

 text & plate (1894). 



Adult male. Entirely dull black above and below, the feathers blackish grey at base. Primaries 

 sooty black, outer webs of a huffy or dirty white, passing into blackish at base. Feet 

 black, soles yellowish (in skin). Bill black, nasal operculum and base of upper bill 

 yellowish (in skin). This colour is undoubtedly quite natural and must have been 

 brighter in life. Total length about 8 inches ; culmen 2 0; bill from base to tip of 

 upper mandible 2, under mandible from base to tip 17, thus being 3 shorter than 

 the upper ; height of bill at nostrils 0*3 ; wing nearly 3 9 inches (damaged at tip), tail 2*8, 

 tarsus 1'15. 



Female similar to the male, but smaller, bill shorter. 



This peculiar bird is described from one of the original specimens discovered by Mr. R. C. 

 L. Perkins on Molokai. It was shot on June 18th, 1893, on Molokai, at about 5000 feet. 

 Its sex is not stated, but on the label is inscribed : " The body of this bird in spirits, evidently 

 male by the bill." 



I am much obliged to Professor Newton and the " Iloyal Society and British Association 

 Joint Committee for Zoology of the Sandwich Islands " for their kindness in lending me 

 the specimen for figuring and describing. I have now, however, one in my own collection, 

 received in exchange from the British Museum. The Museum in Bremen has received this 

 bird from the sons of the late Mr. 11. W. Meyer. 



The bird has a very strong smell, somewhat like that of a Thalassidroma. It is 

 so strong that the box still smells in which it was packed coming to Tring from 

 London. 



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