Drawing is from Appleton's Journal
The illustration shows the general appearance and habit of the bird. It is taken in the act of feeding upon the fruit of the papaw, of which it is very fond in its confinement. It has also fed upon cooked taro and bread-fruit. When at liberty it feeds chiefly upon a species of wild yam.

Text below from Appleton's Journal; January 7, 1871 (pages 27 & 28)

Our illustration this week is of a rare and curious tooth-billed pigeon recently sent to London from the Samoan, Navigator's Islands, in the Pacific Ocean, by the missionary, the Rev. S. J. Whitmee. This bird is a near approximation to the famous dodo. It received its generic name of didunculus (little dodo) from its resemblance to the now extinct bird. It has only been found in the Samoan Islands, and will itself before long become extinct. It is now so scarce that the greatest difficulty is experienced in securing a specimen. Few of the natives of the islands have ever seen the bird. Here and there an old man may be found who remembers the time when it was easily procured in the bush, and greatly esteemed as an article of food for the highest chiefs. Those familiar with tales of Samoa in the olden times, say that it was once owned as private property, and "preserved" as game is in England at the present day. But this was before the introduction of the fowl into the group. Within a comparatively recent period a traveling-party belonging to the dominant tribe, or clan, on arriving at a village of a subject tribe where they intended to spend the day, would order the chief man of the village to procure them a certain number of didunculus before night. If they failed to provide the birds, a severe cudgeling would be the consequence; a punishment which etiquette (or fear) required them meekly to bear.

The didunculus roosts on low stumps or roots of trees, and thus readily falls a victim to the wild-cats, which have become numerous in the Samoan Islands, although the cats has been comparatively recently introduced. During the past seven years only six specimens, we believe, have been secured; and these only after patient waiting and watching in the places the bird is known to frequent. It is generally taken when very young, before it becomes strong on the wing; or during the period of incubation, when, in consequence of the closeness with which the birds sit upon the nest, the natives sometimes secure them. The duty of incubation is performed alternately by both male and female.

The native name of the didunculus is Manu-mea. Manu is the generic name for an animal, especially a bird; mea indicates the color, meaning yellowish brown, as sear leaves. The bird is about twelve inches in length, including the head and the tail; and about the same from tip to tip of extended wings. It has the head of a rapacious bird on the body of a pigeon. In the form of the bill, and several other respects, it differs from all other known species. The upper mandible is convex and strongly hooked at the point. The lower mandible is truncated, and fits into the curve of the upper one; it has also three well-defined teeth of on either side of it. There is membrane in the sides of the upper mandible, in which are placed the elongated nostrils. The bird is powerful on the wing, and flies with a peculiar whirr, resembling the noise made by a pheasant rising in cover more than anything we know. This gives rise to a Samoan phrase, "As noisy as a manu-mea." It has also a remarkable manner of walking with a heavy thumping sound. It runs very rapidly. In the adult condition the back, upper portion of the wings, and tail, are chocolate-red, exceedingly glossy and beautiful; the head, neck and breast are olive or greenish black; the legs and feet bright scarlet; the beak is orange, tipped with yellowish white; claws yellowish white. There is a bright-orange circle around the eyes, the iris of which is dark.

The male bird has a very savage look, and his conduct toward other birds in confinement with him is in keeping with his appearance. The specimen from which our illustration was taken was extremely spiteful to all other inmates of the aviary, except some small birds which seemed to be beneath his notice. On the introduction of the a arrival, it invariably had to endure the most implacable persecution from the lord of the aviary. At the end of the week the poor new-comer presented an almost pitiable figure, the result of the drubbing it had endured. This was the "footing" which all had to pay, after which matters went on peaceably so long as the underlings did not forget their subject condition. Yet our didunculus was a very shy bird, and never would become tame, even with those constantly feeding it. When approached it would run into a corner, or flutter about in fright. It never attempted to bite when taken in the hand. At feeding-time it would sit at a safe distance eyeing the food, the body quivering with a singular vibration from head to tail. This appeared to be rage at seeing the tamer birds come near to the person feeding them, and taking first share of the food. The same vibration of body is often noticed when it is approached; it is probably produced both by fear and rage. As soon as the person feeding them had retired, he would fly to the food, driving the other birds pell-mell, and eat in solitary dignity till he had satisfied himself.  

Photograph of actual bird by Dr. Augustin Kramer in 1901

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