Its wide distribution over the whole length of the Archipelago; from extreme west to east, is however very extraordinary, since, with the exception of a few of the birds of prey, not a single land bird has so wide a range.
Ground-feeding birds are generally deficient in power of extended flight, and this species is so bulky and heavy that it appears at first sight quite unable to fly a mile.

A closer examination shows, however, that its wings are remarkably large, perhaps in proportion to its size larger than those of any other pigeon, and its pectoral muscles are immense.

A fact communicated to me by the son of my friend Mr.
Duivenboden of Ternate, would show that, in accordance with these peculiarities of structure, it possesses the power of flying long distances.

Mr.D.established an oil factory on a small coral island, a hundred miles north of New Guinea, with no intervening land.

After the island had been settled a year, and traversed in every direction, his son paid it a visit; and just as the schooner was coming to an anchor, a bird was seen flying from seaward which fell into the water exhausted before it could reach the shore.