AVIFAUNA OF LAYSAN, ETC. 



181 



THE GENUS CIRIDOPS. 



The bill is strong, the culmen arched, the maxilla overlaps the mandible at base. Nostrils 

 covered by a membrane; no rictal bristles, but a few hairy feathers on the chin. 

 Feathers of crown and throat short, strong, and pointed. Wings large; first primary 

 absent, third, fourth, and fifth about equal and longest, second one-eighth of an inch 

 shorter than the third. Tail moderate, rectrices pointed and nearly equal in length. 

 Feet rather strong; tarsus hardly longer than middle toe with claw. Feathers of 

 abdomen and others somewhat decomposed. 



The tongue seems to prove that this genus belongs to the Drepanidce and not to the 

 Fringillidce, the only two families which would have any chance of claiming it. 



The genus was founded by Scott Wilson in < Nature,' 1892, p. 469. 



It seems to stand nearest to Loxojjs, from which it is at once distinguished by the form 

 of the bill, the pattern of coloration, the strong feet, and the peculiar plumage, which is 

 somewhat stiff and scanty, while it is soft and very rich in Loxops. 



Only one species known. 



