1862.] | LETTER FROM DR. G. BENNETT. 249 
The following letter, addressed by Dr. Bennett to the ‘Sydney 
Herald’ of September 3rd, 1862, was also read to the meeting :— 
** Since the publication of my observations on the Toothed-billed 
Pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris) in the ‘Sydney Herald’ of August 
19th, 1862, I have received a communication from the secretary of 
the Acclimatization Society of Victoria, enclosing some valuable notes 
given to them, respecting this rare and extraordinary bird, by the 
Rey. John B. Stair, of Broadmeadows, Victoria, who was formerly 
resident for some time at the Samoan or Navigator group of islands, 
considered the exclusive habitat of this singular bird. I have now 
selected those portions relating to the bird which are either new to 
science or will more fully add to its history, and complete, as far as 
possible, our knowledge of this nearly extinct bird. Mr. Stair says 
he has seen the Didunculus, and that it is named by the natives Manu 
Mea, or red bird, from the most predominant colour of its plumage 
being chocolate-red. It was formerly found in great numbers; and 
this assertion may excite some surprise that this remarkable form of 
bird should not have been seen and procured by the early naviga- 
tors. Now, Mr. Stair observes, as I have for some time suspected, 
the bird is nearly, if not entirely, extinct. It feeds on plantains, and 
is partial to the fruit of the ‘soi,’ a species of Dioscorea or yam, a 
twining plant found abundant among the islands, and producing a 
fruit resembling a small potatoe. The habits of this bird, Mr. Stair 
observes, are exceedingly shy and timid. Like the Ground-Pigeons, 
it roosts on bushes or stumps of trees, and feeds on the ground. It 
also builds its nest in such situations. During the breeding-season 
both parents aid in the duty of incubation, and relieve each other 
with great regularity ; and so intent are they when sitting on the 
eggs as to be easily captured. It was in this way two living speci- 
mens were obtained for Mr. Stair. They are also captured by the 
natives with bird-lime or springes, and shot with arrows—the sports- 
man concealing himself near an open space in which some quantity 
of the ‘soi,’ their favourite food, has been placed. 
«The first living bird obtained was accidentally killed ; the second, 
when placed in confinement, at first became sullen and refused food, 
but soon became reconciled to captivity, and throve well. The natives 
fed it upon boiled taro (the root of the Caladium esculentum) rolled 
into oblong pellets, in the same manner as they feed their pet Wood- 
Pigeons and Doves. On the departure of a friend for Sydney in 1843, 
Mr. Stair availed himself of the opportunity of sending the bird here, 
for the purpose of ascertaining if it was known, and, if so, with what 
genus it was to be classed, and whether it was a new species. Some 
natives on board the vessel paid great attention to it, and fed it care- 
fully during the voyage, and it reached Sydney alive. His friend 
informed him that he could obtain no information respecting the bird, 
whether it was a new species or otherwise, but left it with some bird- 
stuffer; and Mr. Stair heard nothing more respecting it until his 
return to England in 1847 or 1848, when he mentioned the subject 
to Mr. G. R. Gray of the British Museum, who showed him a 
