382 Zoological Society : — 



being chocolate-red. It was formerly found in great numbers ; and 

 this assertion may excite some surprise that this remarkable form of 

 bird should not have been seen and procured by the early naviga- 

 tors. Now, Mr. Stair observes, as I have for some time suspected, 

 the bird is nearly, if not entirely, extinct. It feeds on plantains, and 

 is partial to the fruit of the ' soi,' a species of Dioscorea or yam, a 

 twining plant found abundant among the islands, and producing a 

 fruit resembling a small potatoe. The habits of this bird, Mr. Stair 

 observes, are exceedingly shy and timid. Like, the Ground- Pigeons, 

 it 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, and relieve each other 

 with great regularity ; and so intent are they when sitting on the 

 eggs as to be easily captured. It was in this way two living speci- 

 mens were obtained for Mr. Stair. They are also captured by the 

 natives with bird-lime or springes, and shot with arrows — the sports- 

 man concealing himself near an open space in which some 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 became 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 esculenhttn) rolled 

 into oblong pellets, in the same manner as they feed their pet Wood- 

 Pigeons and Doves. On the departure of a friend for Sydney in 1843, 

 Mr. Stair availed himself of the opportunity of sending the bird here, 

 for the purpose of ascertaining if it was known, and, if so, with what 

 genus it was to be classed, and whether it was a new species. Some 

 natives on board the vessel paid great attention to it, and fed it care- 

 fully during the voyage, and it reached Sydney alive. His friend 

 informed him that he could obtain no information respecting the bird, 

 whether it was a new species or otherwise, but left it with some bird- 

 stuffer ; and Mr. Stair heard nothing more respecting it until his 

 return to England in 1847 or 1848, when he mentioned the subject 

 to Mr. G. R. Gray of the British Museum, who showed him a 

 drawing of the bird, and told him the subsequent history of the 

 specimen he sent to Sydney. 



" 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 our Top-knot Pigeon (Lopholcemus antarcticus), found in 

 the Illawarra district, and many other of our Australian Pigeons ; 

 and Mr. Stair describes it when rising as making so great a noise 

 with its wings, that, when heard at a distance, it resembles a rumbling 

 of distant thunder, for which it may be mistaken. Mr. Stair con- 

 cludes his remarks by observing that, when on the eve of departing 

 for England in 1845, although he made every effort to procure more 

 specimens of the bird, and offered what was then considered large 

 rewards, he could not succeed in obtaining any more specimens. 

 He considers they may perhaps yet be found at Savaii, the largest 

 and most mountainous island of the group ; but he does not think 

 they at present exist on the island of Upolu." 



