First Impressions of Hawaiian Birds 125 have emblems of their rank and authority, and the Hawaiian belles of today covet the beautiful vellow feathers of the Oo for leis for the neck. As a consequence, the Mamo is probably entirely extinct, while the Oo still lingers in certain restricted and inaccessible districts. The Oo is a noble bird, with brilliant black plumage and a far- reaching voice, but with no song as far as I am aware. Its activity as it glides over the branches of the tall ohias, jetting its long tail like a Magpie, is astonishing. At some seasons, at least, it is a most assiduous and persistent insect -hunter, and its loss to Hawaii is to be deplored. In this brief notice of some of the commoner Hawaiian birds, I have omitted some notable species, such as the orange -colored Akepeleuie, smallest of all Hawaiian birds, the green Akialoa, and the yellow-bellied Akipoloau. The latter species, I may briefly remark, has attempted in a way to play the role of Woodpecker, despite the long, thin, curved mandible. The skull is thick and broad at base, and the maxillary and neck muscles are very powerful, so as to confer great driving power upon the short and blunt lower mandible. As a consequence, the bird can hammer off and wrench away small excrescences from the bark and limbs of trees so as to expose the hidden insect burrows. The delicate, curved upper mandible appears to have a double function: first, as a probe to detect the presence of larva; and beetles in their burrows; second, as a hook to haul them out within reach of the brush -tipped tongue. In richness of tone and a certain deliberateness of utterance, the song of the Akialoa suggests that of the Yellow -throated Vireo. It is short, but rich and full, and is frequently- uttered as the bird flies from tree to tree or climbs about the trunks. I must not omit all mention of the single Hawk peculiar to the Islands, especially as it is the only bird of prey, except the Short-eared Owl. The latter is so recent a settler from the mainland that it is indistinguishable from mainland specimens. In making the above state- ment I do not overlook the fact that specimens of the Marsh Harrier have been taken upon the Island of Oahu, where it is probable that the species will in time become established and may spread thence to the other' islands. lo, the hawk, is a heavy- winged, sluggish fellow, with much the disposition and man of the habits of the Broad -winged Hawk. He shuns the heavy forest and lives on its skirts and in the clearings. He has a liking for perching upon the branches of isolated trees, where he sits and scans the ground beneath for mice anil small rats. Small rodents are his natural fooel, and so heavy and awkwanl on the wing is he that only under exci-ptional lircunistances can he catch small birds, to the presence of whirh, usu.ilK , he pas not the slightest atti-ntion. I id In- coin III JeJ .
