PIGEONS. 37 



Family I. DIDID/E. Dobos. (Plate II.) 



No more striking illustration of adaptation to a ground-dwelling life g ases & 

 can be found than that furnished by the Dodos (205) [PI. II.] and their Picture in 

 ally the Solitaire (206), both long since extinct. Remains of these now 2 Q T 

 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 

 Mauritius, the Reunion or White Dodo (Didus borbonicus] (205 a), 

 Reunion, and the Solitaire Rodriguez, all islands in the Indian Ocean. 

 When these islands were first discovered by Europeans both the Dodos 

 and the Solitaire existed in large numbers, but being unable to protect 

 themselves by flight, they were rapidly killed off for food ; their ex- 

 termination 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. The exhibited examples 

 of the Common and White Dodos are restorations. 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 was given by him to George 

 Edwardes, F.ll.S., who presented it to the British Museum in 1759. 



Family II. DIDUNCULID^:. TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON. 



Besides the two extinct types just mentioned, there are many other [Case 19.} 

 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 changed 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 no\v builds its nest 

 in the branches. On account of its heavy bill, it bears some resem- 

 blance to the Dodo, and mainly on this account is held by some to be 

 an ally of that extinct bird. 



