98 Mr. E. P. Ramsay on Didunculus strigirostris. 



the 'Natural History of Egypt and Palestine'*, is highly 

 appropriate, as its loud voice is the first point that strikes the 

 observer. Two out of the three specimens mentioned in the 

 above work were obtained in the neighbourhood of Damietta; 

 the third from the shores of the Red Sea. 



Riippell does not appear to have met with this Reed-warbler, 

 as it is not mentioned in his work, and it seems probable that the 

 species will prove to be extremely local. 



As I am likely to be in Damietta again in the course of next 

 spring, I hope to be able to supply the readers of ' The Ibis ' 

 with more full and accurate particulars respecting the habits, 

 &c., of this curious little bird, and to obtain a good series of 

 specimens. 



VI. — On the Didunculus strigirostris, or Tooth-billed Pigeon 

 from Upolo. By E. P. Ramsay. 



It appears that the Tooth-billed Pigeon {Didwiculus strigirostris) 

 of the Navigator Islands is not quite extinct, as has been sup- 

 posed ; and many of your readers will be glad to learn that 

 a living specimen of this peculiar bird has been brought to Syd- 

 ney from Upolo, one of that group of islands, by Mr. Williams, 

 H.B.M. Consul. Mr. Williams has kindly allowed me to ex- 

 amine his specimen several times, and has given me the following 

 information respecting its habits. 



The Didunculus, or Enalleodea, is known by the natives under 

 the name of Manu-mea, and was at one time very plentiful on 

 the islands, especially upon Upolo, where, in August 1862, Mr. 

 Williams obtained his bird. Owing, however, to the number 

 of cats which now infest the island, the Manu-mea has become 

 almost extinct. 



* Hempr. et Ehr. Symb. Phys,, Aves, fasc, i. : — 



" Curruca stentorea, H. & E. Specimina 3 adsunt, unum Damiatticum 

 iEgypti inferioris, duo Maris Rubri meridionalis. Habitu et colore Currucm 

 [Sylvia) turdoidi simillima, sed paullo inferior, sexpollicaris, remigum 2'''' 

 quam 5''^ aut C" minore, rostro loiigiore, pedibus gracilioribus. C. turdoides 

 differt, statura majore, remigum 2'*" et 3'^'' longissimis, pedibus validioribus, 

 longioribus, rostro breviore et paullo altiore. Plura alibi." 



