_Phaeornis oahensis_ Wilson & Evans, Aves Hawaiienses, Introd. p. XIII
(1899--Based on _Turdus sandwichensis_ var. Bloxam, Voy. "Blonde" App.
p. 250 (1826--Oahu) and _Turdus woahensis_ Bloxam M.S.)
Nothing is known about this evidently extinct bird, which formerly existed
on the island of Oahu, except Bloxam's short description, which is as
follows:--"Length 7½ inches; upper parts olive-brown, extremities of the
feathers much lighter colour; tail and wings brown; bill bristled at the
base."
The corresponding description of _Phaeornis obscura_ in Bloxam's M.S. notes
is:--"Length 8 inches; belly light ash; back, tail and wings an ash-brown;
bill slender, ¾-in. long, bristled at the base. A beautiful songster."
It is thus evident that Bloxam considered both forms to be distinct, and
Messrs. Wilson and Evans were perfectly justified in naming the extinct
Oahu form.
We are not aware of any specimens being preserved in any Museum, though
Bloxam obtained a skin. Messrs. Wilson and Evans (l.c.) write:--"All the
specimens obtained by Mr. Andrew Bloxam, properly prepared and labelled,
were placed at the disposal of the Lords of the Admiralty, as shewn by a
copy of the letter he wrote to their Secretary, and probably all were sent,
as some certainly were, to the British Museum; but no other trace of this
unique specimen of a vanished species, which may be properly called
_Phaeornis oahensis_, is now forthcoming."
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