History of endemic Hawaiian birds. Introduction

Abstract

The history of endemic Hawaiian birds is developed in three major parts. Narrative accounts of 69 taxa, based on records since 1778, are detailed in Part I. Major ecological factors of population changes, such as depletion of food by foreign organisms, predation, disease, and habitat alteration, are treated in Part II. Chronological, geographical, and ecological elements of avian depopulation are synthesized and offered with conclusions in Part III. The Introduction states the objectives, lists the endemic avifauna, defines the historical scope, and outlines the complete work.