202 
POPULAR HISTORY OP BIRDS. 
being as much curved as in the hawks, while the lower 
mandible, w^hich closes outside the upper, is truncated at the 
end, and notched with two incisions near the end. Its 
face is devoid of feathers ; its wings and short tail show that 
the bird was not intended for flight ; while its large muscu- 
lar legs, with their strong nails, as clearly point out that the 
ground is its proper home. Mr. Peale, the naturalist of the 
United States Expedition, informs us that, according to the 
tradition of the natives, it once abounded ; but, some years 
ago, these persons, like more civilized folks, had a strong 
desire to make pets of cats, and found, by means of whale- 
ships, opportunities of procuring a supply ; the consequence 
of the introduction of pussy,^^ for under this familiar name 
were the exotic tabbies introduced, was the diminution of 
the Didunculus. Cats, as Mr, Peale clearly points out, not 
liking yams and taro, — vegetable products used by the natives 
as food, — took to the woods and hills to search for birds. 
The short-winged Manu-mea fell an easy prey, and, like the 
dodo, he has fallen a victim, but to a more ignominious 
enemy. The Lidunculus builds its nest and lives chiefly 
on the ground ; and, when disturbed, makes with its wings 
a whirring sound, like partridges. Its food is chiefly fruit, 
and it seems to like that of a large fig-tree, called owa by 
