SAMOA 



505 



is exceedingly liniitcil. An indigenous rat of small size 

 is said to exist, and there are four s])ecies of snakes. 

 Among" the birds is one most remarkalJe species — 

 iJidunculus strigirostj'is — a gi'ound ]iigeon of metallic 

 greenish -black colour, with bright chestnut back and 

 wings, and a beak of extraordinary shape, which forms a 

 link between the living African Treronince and the ex- 

 tinct Dodo. It is now found only upon tlie island of 



DIDUNCULUS. 



Upolu, where it is very lare, and will prol)ably soon 

 l)ecome extinct. 



The Samoans are said to be the ftrirest of all the Poly- 

 nesian races, and although not so niucli advanced in the 

 aits and manufactures as some of their neighbours, 

 sur])ass them all in many of the characteristics of a true 

 civilisation, (.'aptain ]^>skine remarks that they carry 

 their habits of cleanliness and decency to a higher point 

 than the most fastidious of civilised nations. Their 

 ]»ul)lie meetings and discussions are carried on with a 

 dignity and forbearance which Europeans never equal, 



