AVIFAUNA OF LAYSAN, ETC. 



305 



H1MATIONE FRAITHI, Bothsch. 



Jntea, Pt. I. p. 3 (spelt "freethi") ; Sehauinsland, Drei Monate Korallcnins. pp. 43, 101 (1899). 



Professor Sehauinsland tells us that the nearest ally of //. fraitki, the well-known 

 B. sanguine^ is still one of the commonest birds in the higher portions of the Hawaiian 

 Group, where it usually lakes its food from the bright red flowers of the Metrosidcros-trees, 

 which bear a striking resemblance to its red plumage. " In Laysan," he continues, - this 

 plant docs not exist ; but here, too, the Himatione fraithi flits from bush to bush and visits 

 the flowers for food, preferring the large flowers of Capparis sandwicheana. This bird offers 

 a good example of how a new species has evolved by isolation. In spite of its similarity to 

 n.sangninea, it differs from the latter in the different shade of its red plumage, in having 

 some brownish feathers on the underside of the tail, and by its shorter bill." 



The nests and eggs were found by Dr. Sehauinsland, and Dr. Studer of Bern has also 

 received nest and eggs from one of his correspondents. These eggs are of a glossless white, 

 and marked with deeper-lying mauve-coloured patches, and above these with rufous-brown 

 patches and spots. The markings are more or less confined to the thick end, and often form 

 a circle. The eggs resemble large eggs of Certhia brachy dactyl a and also those of Hirundo 

 rustica, which, however, are much more glossy. They vary in size : one clutch of three 

 (which is the regular number) from Professor Sehauinsland measuring 19'5 by 14, 20-2 

 by 14, and 20 by 14 mm; three eggs, kindly lent me by Dr. Studer, 178 by 13'4, 178 

 by 13, and 179 by 132 mm. ; while Sehauinsland gives 205 by 14*5 and 1975 by 14 mm. 

 The nests are well built and have a fairly deep cup of about 35 to 40 mm. depth. The 

 material consists of fine rootlets, with a few dry pieces of grass. Sometimes the nests 

 are interwoven with feathers of Petrels or the down of Albatrosses. I have examined 

 four nests. 



TELESPIZA CANTANS, Wilson. 



Antea, p. 5 and p. 7 (sub nomine T. flavissima) j Rothschild, Bull. B. O. Club, viii. p. lvi (1899) ; Sehauins- 

 land, Drei Mon. Korallenins. p. 42 (habits) (1899). 



As I have already stated {I. c), the series collected and observations made by Sehauinsland 

 have proved beyond doubt that T. flavissima is only the perfectly adult T. cantans. 

 Sehauinsland speaks of this bird as follows :— " This bird is now entirely carnivorous. 

 Among other things it has found that the eggs of sea-birds, which breed here at almost all 

 seasons, are as nutritious as they are tasty : with a few knocks of its strong, sharp bill it 

 breaks them open, and completely sucks out the contents. lie is so saucy, that the parents 

 of the eggs are, on his account, most unwilling to leave their clutches even for one short 

 moment ! When the parents take their duties over from each other, the new comer stands 

 close by and pushes the former occupant from the eggs, so that they are not left free for the 

 shortest space of time. Nevertheless the little robber is often able to steal an egg." 



Pour eggs belonging to Dr. Studer agree with those formerly described, and measure :— 

 22-4 by 17 4, 22*7 by 16 4, 227 by 16 7, and 22 4 by 16 4 mm. 



