Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/170

 First Impressions of Hawaiian Birds 155 Its name, "Elepaio," is the native interpretation of what the bird itself no doubt regards as its song. It is a loud, clear and insistent call, special emphasis being laid upon the second syllable. Heard from the forest depths it is pleasing, though we may call it a song only by courtesy and because the bird has nothing better to of^er in the way of music. Elepaio's nest is a beautiful structure of grass, mosses and lichens placed in the fork of a shrub, usually within twenty feet of the ground. It is the only Hawaiian woodland bird, the nest and eggs of which are well known. From Wilson's ' Avcs Hawaiicnsis ' Of n'siitaciros Si-c p;ii;i- 12 j In the life histor of Hawaiian birds there is at present a great gap. Next to nothing is known of their nests, nesting habits and eggs. The reasons are not far to seek: The forests are high and so dense is the undergrowth that, however bright the sun, its ras penetrate but feebly into the deep forest recesses, which, in consequence, are but feebly lighted. Moreover, the lower levels are coKI ami ilam|i as compared with the upper heights, and hence are not at all suitable for nesting sites. P'xcept P'lepaio, probably no Hawaiian wooilland bird builds its nest low ilown save in very exceptional cases. VVhen nests are visible, as the often are, the are far up in the trees