Pekin nightingale on mountain top
- Author:
-
Munro, George C.
- Title:
- Pekin nightingale on mountain top
- Periodical:
- Elepaio
- Year:
- 1945
- Volume:
- 6
- Pages:
- 19-20
- Subject:
-
High altitude
Birds Mauna Loa
- Summary:
- In this document, the author describes the desiccated body of a Pekin nightingale or Japanese hill robin (Leiothrix lutea), that was sent to her by Dr. V. G. Clark on April 4, 1945, that was found in the vicinity of a pond, located near the top of Mauna Kea, at an elevation of 13,007 feet. Also described is a specimen of the Hawaii akepa (Loxops) that was obtained near a small pool located at the 13,101 foot level of Mauna Loa and was also sent to her by Dr. Clark on June 2, 1943. Since these two specimens were found dead at the higher elevations of the mountains, it is believed that some birds stray, or are driven to the higher elevations of the mountains by the wind, get lost at these elevations, and die of starvation and cold. In addition, accounts are given by a botanist named David Douglas who scaled Mauna Loa on January 29, 1824 and sighted one small live bird that was the size of a common sparrow that had a light gray color of feathers and a faintly yellow beak and a dead hawk. An account was also given of an expedition that was taken by Archibald Menzies, surgeon of Vancouver's expedition, who scaled Mauna Koa and reached the top on February 16, 1794 who mentions the sightings of geese and crows.
- Label:
- Birds - General
- Collection:
- Periodicals