BIRDS OF LAYSAN AND THE LEEWARD ISLANDS. 
803 
April or May the greater number accompany the plover in their northern flight. Before they depart, 
many of the outgoing ulili assume the barred plumage, which is characteristic of the nuptial season. 
While most go, many remain, the latter being the immature birds and the weaklings. At all events, 
those that remain retain the immature or winter dress and show not the slightest inclination to breed. 
“About the middle or the latter part of August the return migrants begin to appear, and it is 
noticeable that the first comers are adults, chiefly males and still in nuptial dress, which, however, is 
now somewhat worn and faded. Very soon after their arrival they begin the fall molt, and by the 
middle of September individual birds are to be found that show but a few barred feathers and have 
nearly donned the full winter suit.” 
Our specimen, Laysan, May 1 8, is in breeding plumage. 
Numenius tahitiensis. Bristle-thighed, Curlew; Kioea. 
Seolopax tahitiensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., i, ii, 788, p. 656. 
We found the bristle-thighed curlews on Laysan in small flocks, which usually either stayed 
around the fresh-water pond or scattered over the sedgy slopes near the sea to feed. They were fairly 
tame and allowed us to approach them, and when frightened did not fly any great distance. None 
of these birds were breeding. Speaking for Hawaii, Mr. Henshaw says: 
“I feel sure that the large majority of these curlew make their appearance in September and 
October, and I have little doubt that they come from Alaskan breeding-grounds with the kolea ( Cha- 
radrius dominions fulvus) and the akekeke ( Arenaria interpres) . Yet I am not prepared to assert that 
the kioea does not at least occasionally nest upon the islands.” (Fig. 42. ) 
CHARADRIM. 
Charadrius dominicus fulvus. Pacific Golden Plover; Kolea. 
Char adrius fulvus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., i, ii, 1788, p. 687. 
These plovers were common on Laysan, where they were found in flocks near the lagoon. I 
noted a few also at Bird Island. All were in the winter plumage. 
According to Mr. Henshaw, the kolea leave Hawaii for Alaska in April and May and the first- 
comers return about the middle of August. A certain proportion of immature birds and cripples 
remain the entire summer in the islands. 
APHRIZIDjE. 
Arenaria interpres. Turnstone; Akekeke. 
Tringa interpres Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. 10, i, 1758, p. 148. 
This species was abundant on Laysan, especially near the lagoon, where it was to be seen in flocks 
at all times during our stay. I saw also a few on Necker Island. 
Mr. Henshaw writes: 
“The first stragglers put in an appearance about the middle of August. In 1900 I shot some 
twenty of these first-comers, and to my great surprise found all of them plump and in fine order for 
the table, while some were very fat indeed. All these birds, with one exception, were fully adult, and the 
majority were males. Moreover, they were in much the same plumage as when they left for Alaska in 
May; that is, they were in the red and black plumage, characteristic of the nuptial season. The young 
birds did not begin to appear till at least a fortnight later, and when they came were thin and poor.”® 
DREPANIDIDAt. 
Himatione freethi. Laysan Honey-eater. 
Himatione fraitkii Rothschild, Annals and Magazine Nat. Hist., x, 1892, p. 109. 
• The honey-eater is the least abundant of the Laysan land birds. It is by no means rare, however, 
for in a short walk we were always able to see plenty of them. Their bright scarlet plumage renders 
them especially conspicuous as they flit about amid the soft green of the chenopodium bushes, and very 
Birds of the Hawaiian Islands, 1902, p. 87. 
