Table 49. Measurements of Adult Males of Myzomela cardinalis saffordi from the Mariana Islands
Table 49. Measurements of Adult Males of Myzomela cardinalis saffordi from the Mariana Islands
| Island | No. | Wing | Tail | Full culmen | Tarsus |
| Guam | 0_535 | 72 | 54 | 20.0 | 22 |
| (69-75) | (51-56) | (19.5-20.5) | (21-23) | ||
| Rota | 1 | 73 | 20.0 | 22 | |
| Tinian | 5 | 73 | 53 | 19.5 | 22 |
| (71-74) | (52-55) | (19.0-20.0) | (21-24) | ||
| Saipan | 4 | 74 | 54 | 19.5 | 22 |
| (72-76) | (53-55) | (19.0-20.5) | (22-23) | ||
| Agrihan | 1 | 77 | 55 | 20.0 | 22 |
Immature female: Resembles adult female, but paler with upper parts darker brown; underparts pale buffy-brown; outer edges of wing and tail. feathers greenish-olive, more extensive than in adult.
Measurements.—Measurements of the subspecies of M. cardinalis in Micronesia are listed in [table 48]. Measurements of male specimens of M. c. saffordi from various islands in the Marianas are listed in [table 49].
Weights.—The author (1948:72) records weights of M. c. saffordi from Guam as: 17 adult males, 12.7-18.0 (15.0), and 5 adult females, 10.4-15.0 (12.7).
Specimens examined.—Total number, 80 (61 males, 17 females, 2 unsexed), as follows: Mariana Islands, USNM—Guam, 43 (Jan. 22, May 26, 30, June 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 18, 19, 25, 28, July 6, 10, 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, Sept., Nov. 20, 21)—Rota, 2 (Oct. 10)—Tinian, 3 (Oct. 23, 25)—Saipan 2 (Sept. 27, 30); AMNH—Guam, 23 (Jan. 22, 23, Feb. 5, 7, 9, 16, March 8, 10, 11, 13, 23, June 28, July 8, 21, Aug. 22, Nov. 25, Dec. 4, 11)—Tinian, 2 (Sept. 7, 14)—Saipan, 3 (July 8, Aug. 5, 22)—Asuncion, 1 (June)—Agrihan, 1 (June).
Nesting.—Seale (1901:55) obtained nests and eggs in the period from May to July at Guam. He found the nests 8 to 15 feet above the ground. Strophlet (1946:540) observed a pair of honey-eaters with two young on October 9 at Guam. In 1945 at Guam the NAMRU2 party obtained individuals with enlarged gonads on January 22, June 2, 5, July 21 and 23, and found evidence of nesting on June 16. Hartert (1898:56) writes that Owston's Japanese collectors obtained nests in January, February, and March. Each nest contained two eggs; they were placed four to eight feet from the ground. Probably the Cardinal Honey-eater in the Marianas nests at most times of the year.
Molt.—Specimens, with molting plumage, have been examined that were taken at most times of the year. I suspect that this bird molts at irregular intervals.