282 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



The Pigeons or Doves are now almost unknown, and the cats are 

 driven to the necessity of feeding on lizards." 



This bird seems to have escaped the attention of voyagers, and its 

 habits or history is yet but imperfectly known. In a communication 

 by J. H. Gurney, Esq., of London, published in the Proceedings of the 

 Zoological Society of London, for May, 1852, there are some valuable 

 and interesting particulars, derived by that eminent patron of zoologi- 

 cal science from Lieut, the Hon. F. Walpole, of the Royal Navy. 



According to Lieut. Walpole, this bird is usually found in pairs or 

 small flocks, the largest of which, seen by him, contained nine speci- 

 mens, and is not strictly terrestrial in its habits, but was constantly 

 seen perching on trees or flying. Its flight is limited " to a transit 

 from wood to wood," and, "though inferior to that of most Pigeons, is 

 of the same swooping and continuous character." 



The food of specimens examined was found to consist of the berries 

 of a species of ash, which abounded in the localities frequented by this 

 bird, though it is intimated that it also, very probably, obtains roots 

 or other food by scratching. In the breeding season, it is stated, it 

 retires to the interior of the islands, " where it nests amongst the 

 rocks." Though this gentleman did not observe the nest nor the 

 eggs, he states that " the young are naked and helpless." The male 

 is larger than the female, and does not attain to full plumage until 

 the second year. This bird, according to Lieut. Walpole, is tamed by 

 the Samoan Islanders in the same manner as other species of Pigeons. 



The figure in our plate is rather smaller than the natural size. 



HEAD OF PLEIODUS STRIGIROSTRIS. 



