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PIGEONS. 37 
Family I. Dipip#. Dopnos. (Plate IT.) 
No more striking illustration of adaptation to a ground-dwelling life 
can be found than that furnished by the Dodo (205) [ Pl. II. | and its 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 the 
island of Mauritius and the Solitaire that of Rodriguez, both in the 
Indian Ocean. When these islands were first discovered by Europeans 
both the Dodo and Solitaire existed in large numbers, but being unable 
to protect themselves by flight, they were rapidly killed off for food ; 
their extermination 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. One of the most 
interesting paintings is 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 given by him to George 
Edwardes, F.R.S., who presented it to the British Museum in 1759. 
Family II. Dinuncunip®. Tooru-pittep Pieron. 
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 once more 
increasing, having entirely chauged 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 
resemblance 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.] 
