AVIFAUNA OF LAYSAN, ETC. 



203 



43. RHOD ACANTHIS PALMERI, Rothsch. 



Rhodacanthis palmeri, Rothsch. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (0) x. 189.2, p. Ill; Perkins, Ibis, 1893, p. 103; 

 Wilson & Evans, Aves Hawaiicnses, pt. v. plate & text (1894). 



Adult male. Head and throat rich reddish orange; back and upper wing-coverts dull 

 greenish olivaceous, brightening to a dark dull orange on the back and upper tail- 

 coverts. Wings and tail dark blackish brown, the feathers externally margined with 

 dark dull yellow, paler and more greyish towards the tips of the primaries. Upper part 

 of breast dull reddish orange, passing into dull orange-yellow on the abdomen, becoming 

 much paler on the lower abdomen and under tail-coverts, which are pale yellow. Under 

 wing-coverts and axillaries olive-greyish, washed with orange. Bill bluish grey, tip 

 brown; feet grey with a bluish tinge, soles pale yellow. Total length about 8f inches 

 according to Palmer's measurings in the flesh, but only 7 to 7'5 in skins; wing 4'1 to 

 4-3 ; tail 2-95 to 315 ; culmen 0-8 to 0*87 ; tarsus 1 to 11 ; length of bill from gape 

 to tip 0*75, height at base 6. 



Adult female. Upper parts olive-green, washed with yellow on the forehead and brightening 

 into yellowish green on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Wing and tail blackish brown, 

 the feathers externally margined with dull yellowish green. Throat and sides of body 

 yellowish olive-green ; breast and middle of the abdomen dull white, washed with green. 

 Size similar to that of the male. 



Young males resemble the female, but the feathers of the throat, breast, and abdomen are 

 spotted and clouded with dusky, thus giving these parts a very different aspect. As they 

 get older the underparts become more yellow, the throat dull orange, and the reddish 

 orange of the head is first beginning on the forehead. A fine series in my museum 

 exhibits all intermediate stages. 



This fine bird, which is by no means rare in the Kona and Hilo districts of Hawaii, was 

 discovered by my collector Palmer, in whose honour I have named it. Many specimens were 

 shortly afterwards collected by Mr. Perkins in the forests at an altitude of about 4000 feet. 

 Palmer describes these birds as by no means shy, but rather fearless and easy to approach. 

 He found them to feed on the Koa seeds, but in their stomachs he also found seeds of the 

 Alaii and other plants. In the foliage of the tall trees the females and young ones are 

 difficult to see. The call-note is described by Palmer as a low whistle, sounding somewhat 

 like a prolonged " week." It generally consists of two or three notes, beginning high and 



2 F 



