The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-05-07
HUNTING BIRDS
ON MOLOkA|
Interesting Experiences of a
Scientist With a
Gun.
Continued from Yesterdav.)

The nests of this species, of which |
three fine specimens were collected, |
are so similar inter Sc as to be easily |
distinguished from nests of the other |
species on the island. Still they diff |
fer considerably, especially in the ma
terials used, from others of the same
genus now in the museum collection
The most definitely identified and
best constructed nest Mus. No. 1886
is one taken May 81, about half way
down the Pelekunu pail. 1t was built
in stunted o1ia tree beside the trail
and was poorly, if at all, concealed.
1t was placed on a horizontal limb
fifteen feet from the ground, which
brought it on a level with the path
on the crest of the ridge. Its external
dimensions are inches across by 225
inches in depth The bowl is 225
inches across by 1.25 inches in depth.
Externally, the structure is loosely
woven from green moss. Into this, as
a secondary lining, is worked some
brown fbrous material of the color of
pull, but resembling closely the soft
inner bark of the ohia. The lining
proper is a generous one, composed
entirely of the fiber of the dead leaves
of the ieie. The nest is a well-woven,
compact structure. When first taken
it was strongly scented by the pecu-
liar drepanine odor a trace of which
still elings to it. Though no eggs
were in the nest, the parent bird was
on when it was discovered.
A second nest, taken at Halawa,
May "a, is a sort of concession to civ
ilizaticn, being placed in the upright
fork of lantana bush that was grow
ing among the ohia trees, a consid-
cradle distance into the forest. 1t is
substantially the same as the one just
described, though not of as high order
of Workmanship.
Oreomystis 1amrnea (Wilson).
Of this species an excellent select
series was collected which shows the
various stages through which the birds
of both sexes go before attaining their
adult plumage. In the field the flame
red males are in a decided minority,
occurring in the ratio of about one In
nine. But in my series of study speci-
mems, they are in the ratio of one to
three. This is owing to the tendency
in the field to take the bright eoIored
bird, and not Gas might enormously be
concluded) because they are easier to
obtain than the females or immature
The fully adult male at this season is
usually accompanied by the female and
from two to four parti-colored imma-
ture birds of both sexes. Occasionally
young birds that have assumed more
than threefourths of the red plumage
of the adult will be found in such com
panies On the other hand one is rather
more apt to find pairs mated and set
tied before the male has assumed one
third of the conspicuous red plumage tx
which he is heir.
In habits the Kakawahia resemble:
the species of the genus TO which i
belongs, and from which it differs il
color so widely They prefer to fee6
over the trunks and branches of thu
trees. Here they secure the insects tha
make up almost the whole of their diet
However, they will be seen in the top.
q of the tallest trees, but apparently pay
ing little or no attention to their flow
Mers. In short, they are persistent AM
sturdy entomoogists, always active ant
alert but strange to say, they seldom
If ever, take insects on the wing. A
Intervals moths are taken of such siz
they are compelled to hold them unde
their feet and pull them to pieces ST
as to devour them piecemeal, much af
ter the fashion of the common chick
adee.
When they have once settled on !
home in the forest fhey at once Sc
about to establish their sphere of intiu
ence, over which they rule, so far a
possible, to the exclusion of every tres
passer. On the approach of some IN
truder, as a man or dog, they VII
both set up a scolding "Chirk, chirk,
that is no uncertain sound to one ia
miliar with birdsi voices and ways
If the alarm ehirk is continued Ion
enough, the nearest neighbors are rare
" so far away that they will not com
in to satisfy their natural curiosity an
add the weight of their presence an
voice to the protest.
The Kakawahia, like his cousins,
full of curiosity The sound of on
making one s way through the woods
sure to attract the little resident to tn
scene. when uttering their never-varie
"chirk, - they will come close enoug
to the person to take in every deta
of his makeup in wide-eyed inquisitiv'
ness. Once satisfied that their sho
of authority has no intimidating effec
they will resume their feeding close I
the observer. One can thus study the
movements at close range. 1 have oftt
watched them under the most favorab
circumstances, for an hour or more
a time, but have never seen them pa
ing the slightest attention to the ne
tar bearing flowers about them. Gee
sionally they go down in the shrubs
within foot or so of the ground, al
it is probable that on rare occasion
they do alight on the ground. althout
/ have never seen them do so.
A good series of fairly we'll identlf
nests was taken, but the eggs were n
secured and remain as yet unknoW
The best specimen Mus. No. 46g1 W
secured in the middle of the Haia'
forest on May p. | had climbed ID
an ohia tree to take survey or I
surrounding country, when my attehtl
was attracted by the disturbance bel
made by fine rcd male hakawan
accompanied BIZ its mate and three
mature birds. They~eame up close
me ard were loud and determined
their 'chirks'' Looking about Tor |
cause, ! found It in the shape OF