.COLUMBID.E. 



407 



deep chestnut. The bill and the naked skin surronnding- 

 the eyes are bright flesh-colour. This singular bird in- 

 habits the Samoiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is 

 described as dwelling principally upon the branches of 

 trees, and feeding upon fruits and berries. It flies well, 

 and is said to breed among tlie rocks in the interior of 

 the islands. The chief interest attaching to the Didun- 

 culus, however, is. its near approach,, especially in the 

 form of the bill, to that most remarkable extinct bird, 

 the Dodo of the IVIauritius, described in the next page. 



