The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-10-07
HAWAIIAN BIRDS
AND THEIR HABITS

Rather more than twenty years ago
there was published in the Hawaiian
Annual a paper on the birds of these
islands from the pen of s. Il. Dole, the
present governor. In the last Annual
an article appeared written by H. w.
Henshaw of Hilo, and this has now
been completed and published separ-
ately as a book of nearly $50 pages.*
A comparison of the two works will at
once show the great increase in our
knowledge of the island birds that has
been gained, since 1879. Though mod
estly designated as a list the new
work is complete, popular and at the
same time scientific account of all the
birds at present known to inhabit these
islands. 1t consists almost entirely Of
interesting readable matter, the ac-
tual descriptions Of the various species,
although quite sufficient for their iden-
tihcation, being usually limited to seven
or eight lines or even less. Mr.. Hen
shaw's work is divided into two parts.
The first deals with questions of gem
eral interest to the ornithologist. such
as the nature of the forests, the de-
struction that has taken and is taking
place in these, the origin of the native
| birds, the causes of their decrease, an
account of the work done by various
collectors and the subjects.
The second part contains the brief
| technical descriptions referred to and
likewise notes on the habits, songs, &c,
of the various species. Many of these
notes are the result of the authors
field observations and contain much of
interest Thus of the "Omao" he says:
1T is a common habit for it to alight
on limb lengthwise, custom which
with its erect attitude while perching
strongly indicates thrust afTinities."
To some species Mr. Henshaw has
unquestionaby paid more attention
than any other observer, to the "Ele-
paio' of Hawaii and the 10 for exam
pie. \ few lines taken from the ac-
count of the former are a fair sample
of the authors work: The curiosity
of the Elepaio is Unsuitable and pair
or two are always on hand to inspect
an intruder and learn his business. 1t
will follow and catch an insect on the
wind, which it has CHANGED to dislodge
| from some hiding place, but it never
! sits and watches for flying insects as
! do the American hycatchers. In fact
| by far the greater part of its insect
! food is CLEANED from the branches of
trees and shrubs, and from among the
| lichens and tangled ferns. It's motions
! generally and it's hunting habits are
those of a wren rather than those of
p
J the wren is remarkable, especially
when it droops it's wings by it's sides
and cocks it's tail over it's back, which
| is its frequent habit"
| 1t is curious that the use of the dis
| torted mandible of the Akepa should
| have escaped the notice of the writer
since it is obvious when the live bird
is examined with field glasses or even
sometimes with the naked eye, or from
an examination of the food of the bird.
The economic value of some of the
! birds is alluded to and the need of
| legislation for their protection. AS a
matter of fact no forest bird should be
| killed under any preteXt from the first
of March till the middle of October, for
not even for scientific purposes is it
necessary to do So 1t is a most I'M
! fortunate fact too that of the birds of
| the open country the golden plover
! both for food and sport surpasses all
others, for it is Of all the most helpful
to the agriculturist, and it's habit of
selecting the most injurious insects,
and it's presence in the islands when
these are most active might well afford
it more protection.
| At the end of the list the rice bird
mynah and other introduced species
are dealt with. For the camper out in
the woods who wishes to know some
thing of the birds around him, the
present work is the very thing, while
! it is at the same time none the less
| interesting to the advanced student of
ornithology. 1t should be in the pos
session of every one who takes any in
! terest in this subject.
r. c. l.. PERKINS.
For sale by Thrums Book Store.