PIGEONS. Oo” 
Family I. Dipip#. Dopos. (Plate IT.) 
No more striking illustration of adaptation to a ground-dwelling life 
can be found than that furnished by the Dodos (205) [ Pl. IL.] and their 
ally the Solitaire (206), both long since extinct. Remains of these now 
famous birds will be found in two of the Table-cases in this bay. Both 
these relatively gigantic Pigeons were flightless, a condition probably due 
to the fact that they lived on small islands uninhabited by man or other 
enemies, and were able to procure food in abundance without resorting 
to flight. As a result of this easy life the body gradually acquired a 
greatly increased bulk, whilst the wings gradually decreased in size, 
till flight at last became an impossibility. 
The Solitaire (Pezophaps solitarius) (206), though less well-known 
than the Dodo, was in some respects more remarkable, for the wings 
of the males were armed with large bony knobs, apparently used as 
weapons of offence. The Dodo (Didus ineptus) (205) inhabited 
Mauritius, the Réunion or White Dodo (Didus borbonicus) (205 a), 
Réunion, and the Solitaire Rodriguez, all islands in the Indian Ocean. 
When these islands were first discovered by Huropeans both the Dodos 
and the Solitaire existed in large numbers, but being unable to protect 
themselves by flight, they were rapidly killed off for food; their ex- 
termination being accelerated by the introduction of dogs, cats, and 
swine. Probably by the end of the 17th century not one of these 
birds survived, and what we know of their external appearance is derived 
from a few old paintings and:from skeletons. The exhibited examples 
of the Common and White Dodos are restoratious. One of the most 
interesting paintings 1s exhibited in the adjoining Wall-case, and is a 
portrait from life, painted in Holland by Roelandt Savery. This picture 
was once the property of Sir Hans Sloane and was given by him to George 
Edwardes, F.R.S., who presented it to the British Museum in 1759. 
Family I]. Dipuncutipa#. Tooru-pittep PreEon. 
Besides the two extinct types just mentioned, there are many other 
species of Pigeons which have taken to a terrestrial life, and are hence 
known as Ground-Pigeons. One of these is the Tooth-billed Pigeon 
(Didunculus strigirostris) (207) of Samoa, which was reported to be 
nearly extinct in 1863. It is now, however, said to be ouce more 
increasing, having entirely changed its habits and taken to an arboreal 
life. It feeds and roosts in the highest trees, and whereas it formerly 
laid its single egg on the ground like the Dodo, it now builds its nest 
in the branches. On account of its heavy bill, it bears some resem- 
blance to the Dodo, and mainly on this account is held by some to be 
an ally of that extinct bird, 
[ Table- 
cases & 
Picture in 
Cases 19 & 
20. | 
[Case 19.} 
