260 Zoological Society. 



supposed even by the resident missionaries. It is very fond of the 

 mountain-plantain, upon which it has often been found feeding in 

 its wild state." 



A third letter from Dr. Bennett (dated August 19th) contained 

 the gratifying intelligence that a second specimen of the Didunculus 

 had reached Sydney, and that Dr. Bennett, with his usual liberality, 

 had purchased the pair of birds, and was intending to send them 

 home to the Society the first convenient opportunity. The follow- 

 ing extracts were read from this last communication : — 



" Since my last letter another living specimen of the Didunculus 

 has been brought to Sydney, by the Rev. Mr. Bigg, who procured it 

 from a native on the Island of Savaii. This I have reason to believe 

 is the identical bird that Mr. Trail, at the instigation of Mr. O'Hea, 

 endeavoured to procure for me, as, in reply to Mr. Trail's inquiries 

 respecting the bird, the native informed him it had just been sold to 

 a European on the other side of the island. On the day after the 

 arrival of the vessel, I went on board and saw the bird, which is a 

 much finer specimen than the one in the possession of Mr. Williams. 

 It appears to be fullgrown and in adult plumage, the head, neck, 

 breast, and upper parts of the back being of a glossy greenish black ; 

 back, wings, tail, and under tail-coverts a deep chocolate-red colour ; 

 but I consider that the bird has only recently been changing its 

 plumage, and that the present dark-green feathers will become more 

 brilliant, and the chocolate-red colour of a still brighter hue. The 

 legs and feet are of a bright red colour, and the claws yellowish white. 

 The mandibles are of an orange-red colour, shading off near the tips 

 to a light yellow. The cere round the eyes is also of a bright orange- 

 red colour ; eyes brownish black. It is agreed by every one with 

 whom I have conversed, who have resided at the Navigators' Islands, 

 that the Didunculus is nearly extinct, both from being eaten by the 

 natives as well as from the cats, rats, and other vermin, and that 

 most of the other Ground- Pigeons are following its fate from the 

 same causes. The possessor of the last bird says he has never ob- 

 served the bird to drink water since it has been in his possession. 

 Its food at that time consisted of boiled yams, but it will eat bana- 

 nas, apples, bread, and boiled potatoes. The lower mandible has the 

 tooth well developed. This bird was very tame, and was eating some 

 boiled yam very voraciously during the time I was inspecting it, 

 bolting down very large pieces. 



"This morning I examined both birds. They are evidently 

 moulting, and the younger bird has grown very much since I last 

 saw it, and is becoming now a much larger bird than the last arrival ; 

 from this I am inchned to think they may prove male and female. 

 I this afternoon purchased these birds, after some difficulty. It is 

 my intention to send them by Mr. Broughton of the ' La Hogue/ 

 unless some very good opportunity occurs in the mean time, which 

 is not probable. Our Acclimatization Society of New South "Wales 

 are desirous of purchasing one or both, and to send them to your 

 Gardens in their name ; and I have, at all events, secured them for 



