2154 



PIGEONS AND SAND GROUSE 



here figured ( G. albertisi) was discovered by the explorer from whom it takes its 

 name. 



THE TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON 

 Family DlDUNCULID^Z 



Occupying an entirely isolated position among the existing members of the 

 order, the tooth-billed pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris} is perhaps the most inter- 



TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON. 

 (One-third natural size.) 



esting representative of the whole group, on account of its kinship to the dodo. 

 An inhabitant of the Samoan islands, this pigeon possesses a remarkably -heavy pow- 

 erful bill and short strong legs. The head, mantle, and chest are metallic blackish 

 green, while the rest of the upper parts are chestnut, and the under parts brownish 

 black. The bill is orange and the legs and feet reddish ochre. The following 

 account of its habits is taken from one given by Mr. Whitmee, from which it ap- 

 pears that the bird now feeds mainly on trees, whereas it formerly procured its 

 food on the ground: " I did not attribute much importance to that fact," says the 

 observer, "because the bird being wary, I thought its destruction by wild cats to be 



