TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON. 



387 



ively Australasian in their distribution, all the six known species inhabiting the 

 Papuan Islands have the general colour bluish slate ; but the Victorian crowned 

 pigeon (Goura victoricv) differs from its allies in having the tips of the crest- 

 feathers spatulate or club-shaped. Very little has been recorded concerning the 

 habits of these splendid birds, but they appear to spend much of their time on 

 the ground in search of food, and being remarkably stupid may be easily 

 approached within gunshot. The species here figured (G. albertisi) was discovered 

 by the explorer from whom it takes its name. 



THE TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON. 

 Family DlDUNCULID^:. 



Occupying an entirely isolated position among the existing members of the 

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



TOOTH-BILLED PIGEON (J nat. size). 



interesting 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 powerful 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. 



