1862.] LETTER FROM DR. G. BENNETT. 249 



The follo\viiig 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 (Diduncuhs 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 

 Rev. John B. Stair, of Broadmcadows, 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 JDidunculus, 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 thej^ 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 1 843, 

 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 neAv 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 



