1864. | DR. G. BENNETT ON THE DIDUNCULUS. 141 
out being seen by the bird. Jt usually kept on the low perch, but 
when disturbed would sometimes jump on the ground, run rapidly 
about, and then take refuge in the darkest part of the cage. In its 
physiognomy it is a stupid-looking bird, with, at the same time, a 
remarkable peculiarity of expression, which the artist has succeeded 
in obtaining. The bird has nothing particular in its plumage to attract 
the attention of the common observer ; but the head of a rapacious 
bird on the body of a Pigeon would excite the attention of the most 
ordinary spectator. The plumage of this bird is of a chocolate-red 
colour, deeper on the back, tail, and the primaries and secondaries 
of the wings, and barred over the breast, throat, and wing-coverts 
with light brown. The upper part of the head is rather bare of 
feathers, but those remaining are of a dark slate-colour. The base 
of the beak is of an orange-red, and the rest of the mandibles yel- 
lowish. The legs and feet are of a bright orange-red. The cere 
round the eyes is of a flesh-colour. The irides are of a dark reddish 
brown. The form of the beak and the bright eyes impart to the 
bird very much the character of a rapacious bird. The above is the 
state of the plumage in the young bird. 
On the 24th of July another Didunculus was brought to Sydney 
from the Island of Savaii (one of the largest and most mountainous 
of the Navigators’ group). I found it was a full-grown bird in 
adult plumage, with the teeth of the lower mandibles well developed ; 
the head, neck, breast, and upper part of the back was of a green- 
ish black ; back, wings, tail, and under tail-coverts of a chocolate- 
red. The legs and feet were of a bright scarlet. The mandibles 
are of a bright orange-red, shaded off near the tip with very light 
yellow. The cere around the eyes is also of a bright orange-red 
colour; the irides brownish black. Iwas informed that these birds 
are nearly extinct, from having been formerly eaten by the natives in 
great numbers, and of late years from being destroyed by wild cats ; 
and it is said that most of the Ground-Pigeons are following the fate 
of the Didunculus from the same causes. Indeed, from my observa- 
tion of the living birds, they are very timid and stupid. On the fol- 
lowing day I examined the birds together. They are both moulting ; 
and the young bird has grown very much since I last saw it, and is 
now larger in size than the adult specimen recently arrived. As 
there is no sexual distinction in the plumage, it is probable that size 
may be a distinguishing mark of the sexes ; and if so, these birds may 
prove to be male and female. On the 21st of August I completed 
my purchase of these birds for a very high price. I must thank 
the Council of the Acclimatization Societies of Sydney and Mel- 
bourne for the liberal resolutions passed by them to unite with me 
in the purchase of these rare birds, on account of the very high sum 
demanded for them, and to join with me in presenting them to the 
Zoological Society of London; but, on mature reflection, considering 
the casualties to which they would be liable, I considered it would 
be more satisfactory to take upon myself the sole responsibility and 
expense. The adult bird often runs wildly about the cage, flapping 
its wings, and, when the door is open to receive food, makes every 
