AVIFAUNA OF LATSAN, ETC. 



221 



that of the Magpie. The O-o exhibits a decided preference for the extreme top of a tree, on 

 which it alights, and when thus perched may he seen continually jerking its long tail up and 

 down almost at right angles to its body, all the while uttering its harsh cry." 



Wilson further says that the O-o is an extremely wary bird, and most difficult to 

 approach when met with in the Ohia-forest. 



The ordinary vertical range of this bird is, according to Wilson, from 1200 to 4000 feet, 

 but he was told that at certain times it has been seen at or above 6000 feet. 



Perkins (Ibis, 1893, p. 109) says that it was a "common bird in the lower forest, 

 frequenting, as is well known, the lofty lehua-trees, especially when growing on the rough 

 lava. Save its antipathy for the red birds ( Vestiaria), its habits are difficult to observe, as it 

 usually keeps very high up in the trees. Its peculiar cry, rather more like ' ow-ow ' than ' o-o,' 

 is very curious, and it would readily respond and even approach when I imitated its voice." 



Palmer's notes on this bird are not very extensive, but on the whole agree with those of 

 the other observers. As to the notes he says that, besides their usual loud call, they have a 

 short song with but little melody, a " kind of squeaking noise," and a few other notes, which 

 are but seldom heard. He says they possibly may not be their own specific sounds, but 

 imitations of those of other birds. 



Most of Palmer's specimens were obtained at elevations of about 2000 feet above the sea, 

 but a Mr. Smith told him that they were sometimes seen much higher, and he shot one at an 

 altitude of at least 4000 feet. At such elevations, however, they are probably not to be found 

 regularly, as they were not seen there for a long time, although the Ohia- trees, on which they 

 fed principally, were in full flower up to 5000 feet. Palmer calls it very active and "the 

 shiest of the bush-birds." He saw them always moving about and keeping in the high Ohia- 

 trees. They were difficult to shoot. 



Nothing is known about the O-o's nesting. Perkins was told by a native and a white 

 boy that they saw such a bird enter a hole in the trunk of a Lehua-tree, very high up, but 

 that they were unable to climb the tree. This w r as about the middle of June, the same time 

 when Mr. Perkins obtained a young bird which " certainly had not been long out of the 

 nest." 



This species inhabits Hawaii only. 



Henshaw (in litt.) says : — " It is found in the forest near the Wailuku, but is rare; and 

 constant persecution on the part of the Kanakas for the yellow feathers has made the bird 

 exceedingly shy. The day of doom is fast approaching. In neither Olaa or Puna is it found 

 at all, and these districts were formerly its favourite haunts." 



There is a large series in the Kiel Museum, collected by Behn during the Danish 

 expedition of the ship ' Galathea.' 



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