PIGEONS. 



241 



lliat at a (listfinco it inirjlit bo niistnkon for distant tluindor. Tliis species was sup- 

 jiosud to be raj>i<lly bucomiiig extinct, as its terrestrial lialiits made it an easy prey to 

 predatory animals, such as cats and rats introduccil into the islands from Euro])can 

 vessels; but late accounts state that it lias chanjicd its habits, feedinj; and roostinn^ 

 exclusively upon high trees, and is increasing in numbers. It is in this way, through 

 the struggle for existence, that habits which have been transmitted from parent to 

 offspring through unknown series of generations, are suddenly aljandoned, and entirely 



FUf. 115. — Goura ftctorio:, ciowiiod pigcnn. 



opposite ones adopted, that give the needed protection to life and continued prosperity, 

 which the inherited methods no longer are able to secure. 



The peculiar bill of this species, having almost the characters of a rapacious bird, is 

 composed of a powerful curved maxilla; and a mandible provided near the tij) with 

 two or three deep indentations, causing the j)arts between to ajipcar like teeth. 

 Although generally stated by most writers to be a gentle, timid creature, hi<]ing 

 whenever possible in the darkest portion of its cage, yet one in the i)osse.ssion of the 



VOL. IV. — 1(5 



