PIGEONS. 37 



Family I* DIDID^. DODOS. (Plate II.) 



No more striking illustration of adaptation to a ground-dwelling life [Tablo- 

 ; can be found than that furnished by the Dodo (205) [PL II.] and its ally ej& _ 

 the Solitaire (206), both long since extinct. Remains of these now cases If), 

 famous birds will be found in two of the Table-cases in this bay. Both --J 

 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, Avas in some respects more remarkable, for the wings 

 of the males Avere armed with large bony knobs, apparently used as 

 AA'eapons of offence. The Dodo (Didus ineptus) (205) inhabited the 

 island of Mauritius and the Solitaire that of Rodriguez, both in the 

 Indian Ocean. When these islands Avere first discovered by Europeans 

 both the Dodo and Solitaire existed in large numbers, but being unable 

 to protect themselves by flight, they Avere rapidly killed off for food ; 

 their extermination being accelerated by the introduction of dogs, cats, 

 and sAA'ine. Probably by the end of the 17th century not one of these 

 birds survived, and what AVC knoAv of their external appearance is derived 

 from a few old paintings and from skeletons. 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 given by him to George 

 Edwardes, F.R.S., Avho presented it to the British Museum in 1759. 



Family II. DIDUNCULID.E. 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, Avhich Avas 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 now builds its nest 

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

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

 to be an ally of that extinct bird. 



