558 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



roosts on bushes or stumps of trees, and feeds on the ground. 

 It also builds its nest in such situations. During the breeding- 

 season both parents aid in the duty of incubation, relieve each 

 other with great regularity, and are so intent on the perform- 

 ance of their duty that, when sitting on their eggs, they may 

 be easily captured by the hand. Two living birds were 

 obtained in this way by Mr. Stair. They are also taken by 

 the natives with birdlime or springes, and shot with arrows, 

 the sportsman concealing himself near an open space in which 

 a quantity of the ' soi,' their favourite food, has been placed. 



" The first living bird obtained was accidentally killed ; the 

 second, when placed in confinement, at first was sullen and 

 refused food, but soon became reconciled to captivity and 

 throve well. The natives fed it upon boiled taro (the root of 

 the Caladium escidentmii), rolled into oblong pellets, in the 

 same manner as they fed their pet Wood-Pigeons and Doves. 

 The power of wing of most of the Pigeon tribe is very 

 great, and it also obtains in this bird. It flies through the air 

 with a loud noise like the Topknot Pigeon {Lojpkolaimus 

 anfarcticus) of the Illawarra district, and many others of the 

 Australian Pigeons ; and Mr. Stair describes it as making 

 so great a noise with its wings on rising that, when heard at 

 a distance, it resembles the rumbling of distant thunder, for 

 which it might be mistaken. Mr. Stair considers that the 

 bird may yet be found at Savaii, the largest and most moun- 

 tainous island of the group, but thinks it does not at present 

 exist on that of Upolu." 



In a communication to the Zoological Society of London, 

 read at their Meeting on November the 10th, 1863, Dr. Ben- 

 nett stated that he had recently had an opportunity of exa- 

 mining a living example which had been brought to Sidney by, 

 Mr. J. Williams. " At first it was rather shy and wild, but 

 afterwards became more tame, and manifested but little fear. 

 This feeling was, however, occasionally exhibited by uttering 

 some rapid ' coos,' and by fluttering its wings. It is a stupid 



