260 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



Like the preceding, the present bird bears some resemblance to 

 Carpopliaga persincillata (Temm.), and belongs to the same generic 

 and subgeneric group. It is given by the Prince Bonaparte in his 

 Monograph, without apparent hesitation or qualification, as Columha 

 Forsteri, Wagler, which is, under the circumstances of the case, totally 

 erroneous and improper. As stated above, the descriptions by both 

 the authors mentioned, are insufficient for the identification of this 

 bird, at least, or if intended to be applicable to it, absolutely give 

 erroneous characters. In no case ought the name of Wagler to be 

 adopted for this species. 



In reference to this fine species, Mr. Peale observes : 



" The natives of Tahiti, in describing the productions of their beau- 

 tiful island, told us that there was a large species of bird found high 

 up in the mountains, which fed upon the Fei, a (Species of red plan- 

 tain which grows wild in very elevated situations, and that they had 

 always been unsuccessful in their attempts to get it for the naturalists 

 of the Expeditions which have so frequently anchored in their harbors. 

 We were successful, after great labor and peril, in reaching the region 

 and in shooting several, but felt disappointed at the time, as we be- 

 lieved them to be identical with the last-described species ((7. aurorce), 

 and, notwithstanding the Tahitian assurances to the contrary, re- 

 mained of the same opinion until the Expedition returned to the 

 United States, when a comparison of specimens, which could not be 

 made sooner, proved that the Islanders were correct. 



" It was raining incessantly all the time we remained in the ele- 

 vated situation where this Pigeon was obtained, and having no shelter, 

 we were obliged to return without finding its nest, or learning that it 

 had any peculiar habits, further than that it is restricted to certain 

 regions in the mountains, at an altitude of three or four thousand 

 feet, and is seldom, if ever, seen near the coast, being probably limited 

 in its range by its favorite food, the Fei. One specimen, now in the 

 National Collection in the City of Washington, was killed by Captain 

 Wilkes (to whom we have dedicated the species), at Auro;:"a, or Mai tea 

 Island, in which we did not learn that this plant was produced." 



This is a beautiful bird, and like the preceding, one of the most im- 

 portant and interesting of the zoological discoveries of the Expedition. 

 As may be inferred from our plates, this bird bears some resemblance 

 to the species described in our last article, but is entirely distinct, 

 though inhabiting the same group of islands. It is one of the largest 

 of Pigeons, and is probably peculiar to the Society Islands. 



