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CHAETOPTILASCL.
- Chaetoptila Sclater, Ibis 1871 p. 358.
Dr. Sclater justly proposed a new generic term for the "Entomyza" or "Moho" angustipluma of former authors. This bird belongs doubtless to the family of Meliphagidae or Honey-eaters, and the genus is sufficiently distinct from all others. There are no fleshy wattles anywhere. The tail is long and strongly graduated; all the rectrices are obliquely pointed at their tips. The plumage of the body is very soft, that of the head, throat and chest almost fluffy; the feathers of the chin, throat and forehead end in hair-like bristles.
We know only one species.
CHAETOPTILA ANGUSTIPLUMA(PEALE).
(Plate 4a, Fig. 2.)
- Entomiza angustipluma Peale, U.S. Expl. Exp., Birds p. 147 pl. XL fig. 2 (1848—Hawaii).
- Mohoa angustipluma Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. 1855 p. 440.
- Moho angustipluma Cassin, U.S. Expl. Exp., Mamm. & Orn. p. 148 pl. XI fig. 1 (1858—Hawaii).
- Wilson & Evans, Aves. Hawai. pt. II and plate (1891—Hawaii).
- Rothschild, Avif. Laysan, etc., p. 215 and plate (1900).
This remarkable bird, belonging to the family Meliphagidae, used to inhabit the island of Hawaii in the Sandwich Archipelago. It has been said by Mr. Dole to inhabit Molokai, but this is evidently an error. At present nobody on the island of Hawaii has any recollection of its presence, and its former native name is unknown—the name "Kiowea" erroneously quoted by Mr. Dole being that of Numenius tahitiensis. The bird is extinct, though we do not know the reason why it disappeared.
- THE ONLY SPECIMENS WE KNOW OF ARE THE FOLLOWING:—
- 1. The type in the Museum at Washington, U.S.A.
- 2. One in the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
- 3. One in the Museum of the University at Cambridge, obtained in exchange from Honolulu by Mr. Scott Wilson.
- 4. One in my Museum at Tring, obtained in exchange from the Honolulu Museum.
The type was obtained by Peale, the three others by the late Mr. Mills on the island of Hawaii.
