Delalande's Coua (Coua delalandei), also known as Snail-eating Coua, is an extinct species of non-parasitic cuckoo. It only was known to science as an extant bird for a very short time in the early 19th century. There is some disagreement about its area of occurrence: Although there were claims that the bird was also found in the area of Fito and Maroantsetra as well as near Toamasina (Tamatave) - i.e., the coastal areas of northern Toamasina Province -, all specimens with good locality data are from the offshore island of Nosy Boraha. As the vernacular name implies, land snails were a favored food item of this species. In biology and ecology, extinction is the ceasing of existence of a species or group of species. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... Genera See text. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Toamasina (Masc. ... Toamasina is a province of Madagascar with an area of 71,911 km2. ... The name snail applies to most members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells. ...

Extinction

Of the 14 specimens that exist nowadays, all but two are known to have taken between 1827 and 1834, many by the surgeon and naturalist Chevalier J A Bernier. The Paris type specimen was in the collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle before that date, and one specimen may have been taken as late as 1850. As this species - the second-largest coua extant in modern times - was very spectacular, it was much sought after as a museum piece. However, it probably was restricted to coastal rainforest on Nosy Boraha, and its habitat was largely destroyed by deforestation in the course of the 19th century. Introduction of Black Rats may also have contributed to its demise, probably less by direct predation than by competition for food, but there probably was a thriving rat population on Nosy Boraha as soon as 1700, considering that the island was a favorite place for pirates to overhaul. Cats, which would have preyed on the bird, were probably introduced only in the 19th century and make a more likely candidate for an introduced species that had a negative impact on Delalande's Coua. Naval Battle of Navarino by Carneray 1827 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur Tossed by the waves, she does not founder Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Subdivisions 20 arrondissements Département Paris (75) Région ÃŽle-de-France Mayor Bertrand Delanoë (PS) City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 86. ... In scientific classification, a type is a specimen or description that corresponds to a taxon (a group of organisms), and helps to identify which organisms may be referred to with that name. ... The Muséum national dHistoire naturelle (MNHN) is the French national museum of natural history. ... 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forested. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Binomial name Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Black Rat (Rattus rattus, also known as the Asian Black Rat, Ship Rat, Roof Rat or House Rat) is a common long-tailed rodent of the genus Rattus (Old World rodents) and the subfamily murinae (Murine rodents). ... Events January 1 - Russia accepts Julian calendar. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

There are some reports that the locals on the adjacent mainland were still occasionally hunting this bird for its decorative plumage in the 1920s, but these seem in error, these records probably referring to the Blue Coua. What is known with certainty is that in 1932, large sums were offered to well-connected animal dealers in Antananarivo for specimens of Delalande's Coua, but they were unable to procure any. The color pattern of the species is unique among couas, which may be a hint that it evolved in fact in the isloation of Nosy Boraha and never occurred anywhere else. Specimens from "Tamatave" probably just indicate their port of shipment or the location of the animal dealer who procured them. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Social issues of the 1920s. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ... Antananarivo, Madagascar Antananarivo, Madagascar Antanànarìvo (pronounced IPA [æntəˌnænəˈɹiːvoʊ] or [ɑːntəˌnɑːnəˈɹiːvoʊ]), population 1,403,449 (2001 census), is the capital of Madagascar, in Antananarivo province. ...

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Coua delalandei. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 29 June 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is extinct
• Temminck, Coenraad Jacob (1827): [Coccycus delalandei]. In: Nouveau recueil de planches coloriees d'oiseaux, etc. 74: plate 440. Strasbourg & Amsterdam.