315« 



ISLAND LIFE 



PART II 



45. Acriilocercus iiobilis Hawaii. 



46. bishopi Molokai. 



47. Clicetoptila angustiplunia Hawaii ; probably extinct. 



TUEDID^. 



48. Phteornis myiadestina Kauai. 



49. ,, lanaiensis Molokai, Lanai. 



50. obscura Hawaii. 



51. palmed Kauai. 



52. oahuensis Oahu ; probably extinct. 



MusciCAriD^. 



53. Chasiempis sandvicliensis Hawaii. 



54. gayi Oahu. 



55. ^ sclateri Kauai. 



The preceding list differs considerably from that given 

 in the last edition of this volume, not only by the increase 

 of the species from 37 to 55, but in the omission of the 

 finch family altogether. This has been done because a 

 careful examination by- Dr. Hans Gadow of the structure 

 of the three birds formerly so classed, from specimens 

 preserved in spirits, has shown that all three, and some 

 other species since discovered, are really allied to the 

 curious little birds forming the peculiar family Drepani- 

 didse, which now comprise twelve genera and forty-one 

 species. The same conclusion Avas first reached by Mr. 

 Perkins,, who carefully observed the motions and habits of 

 the birds in question, and found such a curious similarity 

 that he was satisfied they belonged to one group. 



From a consideration of the whole structure of this 

 interesting family. Dr. Gadow considers them to be most 

 nearly allied to the Coerebidse, and perhaps also to the 

 Tanagridae, both peculiar American families. This fact, 

 if correct, greatly modifies the conclusion hitherto reached, 

 that the general affinities of Sandwich Island birds were 

 Australasian rather than American. The Meliphagidse or 

 honeysuckers, a specially abundant group throughout 

 Australasia, are only represented by five species, and the 

 Muscicapidge or flycatchers, also abundant in Australasia 

 as well as in all the continents except America, only by 



