74 



flight feathers present the same ornamentation, but more strongly developed, 

 and the blotches are buffy white on the inner web, which produces a regular 

 spotting on a brown ground colour; the tip of these large feathers is finely 

 stippled with brown on a fairly pale ground; and there is a large patch of 

 white on the wings in addition. 



The throat and abdomen are nicely adorned with dark buff feathers, 

 which have a black brown centre and two to four large round white spots. 

 The large feathers on the flanks are whitish, with a brown shaft line and 

 marked with buff. All the well feathered parts, underneath the feathers are 

 covered by a very thick black down." 



The colour of bill and feet is reddish brown. Total length, 13^ inches 

 = 365 mm. Desjardins says the specimen he described was killed at the 

 end of October, 1836, in the forest crowning the hills close to " Bamboo 

 Creek." In 1837 several were still seen near 11 La Savane," and one was 

 killed at Curepipe by Dr. Dobson of the 99th Regiment. This latter is 

 believed to have been one of, if not the last of this species, so we have 

 to thank that excellent naturalist, Desjardins, and Monsieur Jossigny, the 

 companion of Commerson, that we know what this extinct species was like. 



Habitat : Mauritius. 



