198 



AVIFAUNA OF LAYS AN, ETC. 



He says : " In the shape of the bill only there is a considerable divergence, that of Loonoides 

 being considerably shorter and much more swollen laterally than that of Pslttirosf r<i . 

 This, and the differences in the feet, may justify the separation of the two forms into two 

 genera " 



Wilson, Perkins, and Palmer all observed that the Palila's principal food consisted of the 

 seeds of the "Mamane" (Sophora chrysopliylla), but other kinds of seed were also found in 

 their stomachs, and often caterpillars and other larva?. Palmer says he saw it also once 

 eat green " Aaka " seed, and that it will occasionally eat various berries, such as Cape 

 gooseberries. 



According to Palmer's observations, Loxioides belongs entirely to the upper forest 

 region, and it is seldom found off the " Mamane " trees. In the Kona and Hamakua 

 districts, between elevations of 4000 and 6000 feet, they were frequently met with, and in 

 the Hilo district, on the slopes of Mauna Kea, they were seen even higher, at about 7000 feet. 

 They were often seen in flocks of about half a dozen individuals Wilson writes : — "The 

 * Palila,' as far as I know, has no song, but merely a very clear whistle-like note, which, 

 when often repeated, is held by the natives to be a sign of approaching rain. While at 

 Waimea, a specimen of Loxioides was brought to me alive though injured ; it lived a few 

 days, during which it constantly uttered the clear whistle without giving evidence of any 

 further powers. On June 14th I found a nest, from which I saAV the bird fly ; it was placed 

 in the topmost branches of a ' Naio ' tree [Myoporvm santalinum), about 35 feet from 

 the ground, but contained no eggs, and when we subsequently revisited it we found it 

 deserted. It may be briefly described as cup-shaped, 4 inches in diameter, and very loosely 

 constructed of dry grass, among which is interwoven a considerable quantity of grey lichen, 

 the inside being composed of the same lichen, with a few slender rootlets added." 



The eggs are not yet known. 



Palmer says that the note of the Palila is not unlike that of the " Ou " (PsUlirostra), 

 and that it has a kind of warbling sons? of several Ioav but clear and sAveet notes. He also 

 writes that it is very fearless, somewhat heavy in its flight, and rather slow in moving about 

 amongst the trees. 



