312 



AVIFAUNA OF LAY SAN, ETC. 



VIRIDONIA SAGITTIROSTEIS, Bothsch. 

 Antea, Pt. II. p. 109 (1893) ; Wilson & Evans, Aves Hawaii., pt. vii. plate & text (1899). 



Since the discovery of this bird Mr. Perkins and Mr. Henshaw have collected specimens. 

 Some of the latter are in my collection. 



Palmer evidently made a mistake in saying that he obtained it at altitudes of from 500 to 

 1500 feet, for Perkins found it only at heights of about 2000 feet, and Mr. Henshaw tells me 

 [in litt.) that he did not see it below 1800 feet. This ornithologist considers it to be a rare 

 bird, and only to be found in a very limited section of the woods. Mr. Henshaw found the 

 feet and tarsi of a beautiful bluish grey (not blackish grey) ; the base of the mandible and 

 the cutting-edges of the maxilla are bluish grey. " The bird is an inhabitant of the densest 

 forest, but nevertheless appears occasionally on the edge of the forest and even in clearings. 

 Were it not for its curiosity it would be next to impossible to find the bird, so quiet is it and 

 so retiring.'' Henshaw in litt.) 



