Rev. S. J. Whitmee on Samoan Birds. 445 



Before the introduction and general use of firearms in the 

 islands. Pigeon-catching used to be a matter of great impor- 

 tance in Samoa. The population of whole villages would go 

 into the bush with decoy-birds, and spend weeks together in 

 the occupation. During this time they lived in bush-huts, 

 and subsisted almost entirely upon the Pigeons caught. This 

 mode has been completely superseded by the use of the gun ; 

 but tame Pigeons, such as were then used as decoys, are still 

 kept by many of the people, and they are still taught to fly 

 in a circle at the length of the string by which they are 

 tethered. These tame Pigeons are great pets, and almost 

 always take their food from the mouths of their owners. The 

 Samoans imitate very cleverly the coo of this Pigeon, and 

 generally find out where they are, when out shooting, by coo- 

 ing so naturally that the birds answer them. 



24. Phleckenas stairi, Gray. Tu-tautifa, male; Tu-aimeu, 

 female. 



The male and female of this bird have always been regarded 

 by the natives of these islands as distinct species ; hence they, 

 like the male and female of the Ptilonopus perousii, have been 

 known by distinct names. From an examination of living 

 birds I was of opinion that they were male and female of one 

 species. I have only examined two dead examples ; but a 

 collector in my neighbourhood has examined several of both 

 kinds, and his observation confirms my opinion: the dark 

 purple-breasted birds all prove males, and the paler uniform- 

 coloui'ed birds all prove females. Additional proof is just 

 now afibrded by a pair in confinement : these have paired, 

 and the hen is now sitting on two eggs ; the cock is very 

 attentive to his mate, keeping at a safe distance from her nest 

 two examples of Ptilonopus fasciatus, which occupy the same 

 cage. I forwarded a li^dng example of the female to Sydney 

 last year, to be sent to the Zoological Society^s gardens. At 

 that time I thought it was the female of this species, but was 

 not certain. I have recently sent a skin to the Rev. Canon 

 Tristram. If the differences between the male and female 

 have not been made known, perhaps one of these may serve 



2 K 2 



