Rev. S. J. Whitmee (m Samoan Birds. 443 



be regarded as a synonym of C. vitiensis. This opinion, 

 however, is based on negative evidence alone. I have seen a 

 good many birds which were all referable to C. vitiensis ; one 

 of Mr. Godeflfroy's collectors, who has obtained many birds 

 on Upolu, tells me he has never found C. castaneiceps ; and 

 the natives only know the one species. I believe no one since 

 Peale has found birds referable to his species ; but on this 

 point my information may be deficient. The only descrip- 

 tion of the bird accessible to me is that given by Finsch and 

 Hartlaub ; and from this I am inclined to think Peale^s species 

 was founded on an individual peculiarity, or on immature 

 examples. I intend to give further attention to the subject, 

 and to compare a number of examples. 



23. Carpophaga pacifica (Gmel.). Lupe. 



This fine Pigeon is exceedingly abundant in all the islands. 

 During the season a good shot will bag two or three dozen 

 in a few hours. They are highly prized both by natives and 

 foreign residents as an article of food ; and when in greatest 

 perfection they are so fat that they often burst in falling 

 from the high trees on which the natives shoot them. They 

 furnish a not altogether despicable substitute for game. When 

 travelling in the islands I have known as many as sixty served 

 by a village to my boat's crew for their dinner. The Lupe 

 migrates from place to place, according to the fruiting of 

 certain trees. The natives know where to find it by the fmit 

 which is in season. At the present time (April) it feeds on 

 the fruit of the Maota {Dysoxylon, sp.) and Mosooi {Cananga 

 odorata, J. Hook.), and it is found only where these trees 

 are plentiful. When it is in best condition it feeds on the 

 fruit of the Tavai {Rhus taitense, var. tartense, Guil.). This 

 tree is plentiful within a short distance of the coast all over 

 the islands, and it fruits very abundantly ; hence the Lupe 

 is easily obtained at the time of its fruiting. There are many 

 other trees upon the fruit of which it feeds, among them the 

 nutmegs [Myristica, sp.) and the Faradaya powelli, Seem. 

 The fruit of the latter is known as the Mamd-lupe, which 

 means " the Pigeon's mouthful." 



SER. III. VOL. V. 2 k 



