AVIFAUNA OF LAYS AN, ETC. 



107 



THE GENUS L0X0PS. 



This genus was first established by Cabanis in the c Arehiv fur Naturgesehichte,' 1847, p. 330. 

 Three years later it received the name of Hypoloxias from Bonaparte (Conspectus Avium, i. 

 p. 518); and a third name " Byrsetis" was bestowed on it in the same year (1850) by 

 Reichenbach. Chrysomitri clops is clearly synonymous. 



As the names alone would seem to indicate, the bill, in which, as in Loxia, the edges 

 of the maxilla and mandible are not parallel but divergent laterally, was considered a 

 chief characteristic of the genus K It seems that recent authors have missed this very 

 remarkable feature, as nobody even mentioned it, only in 1899 Gadow refers to it again. It 

 is clearly obvious in all specimens, except in badly skinned and distorted ones and in one or 

 two very young ones, but sometimes is more developed, sometimes less. It is most strongly 

 marked in some specimens of Loxops cceruleirostris (Wils.). 



The short and stout bill, reminding one of those of some of the Fringillida with slender 

 and pointed bills, like Chrysomitris, is another character distinguishing the genus Loxops 

 from all the other genera of Drepanidcr. In the wing, the first primary is absent, the 

 third, fourth, and fifth are about equal and longest, the fourth being hardly distinctly longer 

 than its neighbours. Tail deeply emarginate ; tail-feathers sharply pointed. The bill is 

 strong, conical, and pointed ; the nostrils are near the base, covered on the upper part 

 with a strong membrane, partly, but slightly, covered with tiny bristles. 



The genus Loxops belongs undoubtedly to the Brepanidce. (See also Gadow, in 1 Aves 

 Ilawaiienses,' pt. ii.) 



Loxops cceruleirostris (Wils.) differs in no character whatever from the other members 

 of the genus, excepting the colour, and females and young birds may be mistaken for those 

 of other species, if not labelled and without material to compare. 



1 Cabanis, Arch. f. Naturg. Ib47, p. 330, expressly says as follows: — 

 " Loxops, nov. gen. 



" Die Gattung Loxops (von \olos, schief, seitwarta gebogen, und o^, Gesicht) ist in Farbung und Schnabelbildung eiae 

 Wiederholung der Gattung Loxia im Kleiuen. Die Schnabelspitzen sind indess weuiger stark gekrummt. 

 " T} pus : Jj. coccinea. 



" Fringilla coccinea Gm. Lath., von den Sandwichs Inseln." 



