The Oohgists" Record, June i, 1921. 39 



AN HISTORIC EGG. 



By (iKAHAM Ri:nshavv, M.D., I'.R.S.E. 



It has long been a zoological axiom that the location of all type 

 specimens — whether in public museums or private hands— should 

 be carefully recorded for the benefit of working naturalists. In 

 conformity with this rule, the writer has pleasure in announcing 

 that he has recently acquired the famous type egg of the Samoan 

 Tooth-billed Pigeon {Didimculus sfrigirostris) brought to this country 

 in 1864 and subsequently described by the late Professor Newton. 



The history of the specimen is a romance in itself. Ever since 

 Titian Peale, naturalist to the U.S. Exploring Expedition, obtained 

 in Samoa two examples of "a new bird allied to the Dodo," the 

 interest of scientific men had been powerfully aroused in this rare 

 and remote species ; in the words of Dr. Bennett, " The head of 

 a rapacious bird on the body of a pigeon would excite the attention 

 of the most ordinary spectator," and the value of any specimens 

 was soon raised by the report that the unhappy didimculus was being 

 exterminated by imported cats. Many persons had inquired at 

 Apia for the rarity, offering high prices for it. Dr. Bennett of 

 Sydney was prepared to pay £$ or even £10 for a pair of skins, 

 and the living bird was all but unobtainable. 



At last, after twenty years of unsuccessful effort, Mr. Williams, 

 British Consul at Samoa, acquired a young bird which he sent alive 

 to Sydney ; this being subsequently joined by an older individual, 

 brought over by the Rev. Rigg. Dr. Bennett bought both 

 birds for a high price, to present to the London Zoo. In view of their 

 great rarity he had them sketched from life, lest they should not 

 long survive ; and it was well that he did so, for the second one 

 died of fits and was promptly interred in spirits for Professor Owen 

 the anatomist. The survivor left Sydney on 12th January, 1864, 

 under the care of a steward named Broughton, who had already had 

 considerable experience with birds. Dr. Bennett's confidence was 

 justified, for the didimculus arrived in London safe and sound ; 

 on the voyage she had laid an egg (the first egg known to scientific 

 Europe) and this egg was given by Broughton to the late Mr. A. D. 

 Bartlett, then superintendent of the Zoo. The data ticket now 

 before the writer is inscribed in Mr. Bartlett's handwriting " Tooth- 

 billed Pigeon, Didunculus strigirostris laid on board the La 



