Dead as a Dodo

More words have been written about Dodo than any other extinct bird. Yet the truth is that nothing is known about this strange creature. In the year 1598 A.D the Portuguese sailors landing on the shores of islands of Mauritius discovered a previously unknown species of bird,the Dodo. having been isolated from the rest of humanity due to its island location,Dodo greeted the sailors with child like innocence.The sailors mistook the gentle spirit of dodo and its lack of fear for the new predators as stupidity. They dubbed the word DODO(meaning something similar to simpleton in Portuguese language). Dodo was entirely fearless of humans and this in combination of its flightlessness made it easy pray for human. When humans first visited Mauritius they also brought with them the animals that had not existed on the island before including dogs,pigs, cats and rats. Many dodos were killed by human for their tough meat and those who survived human had to face animals. By the year 1681 the last Dodo has died.
Dodo was the close relative of modern day pigeons and doves. It stood about 3feet tall,weighing 20 kg.Dodo had a large hooked beak and a plum of white feathers adorned the rear of Dodo. Despite its large built Dodo has small weak feathers which could not lift it in the air. Thus it was easy prey to Portuguese invaders who subjected it to death when it approached them seeking friendship.Today few remains or relics of Dodo remain. A Dodo egg is in display at the East London museum in South Africa. The bird was featured as a character by Lewis Caroll In Alice in wonderland. With the popularity of book ,Dodo became well known and recognizable icon of extiction.