IVESTS AXD EGGS OF AV ST FA LI A A' BIRDS. 691 



551. — Geophaps smithi, Jardine and Selby. — (466) 

 NAKED-EYED PARTRIDGE PIGEON. 



Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 68. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxi., p. 532. 

 Previous Descriflions of Eggs.—GoMld: Birds of Australia (1848), 

 also Handbook, vol. ii., p. 134 (1865). 



G'eograjjhica! Dutrihitioi). — North-west Australi.T and Nortlieni 

 Territory. 



Neai. — A slight hollow fonncd in a clump of grass (Gilbert). 



Egg.^i — Clutch, two; coloiu-, gi-eenish-white (or white with a tone). 

 Dimensions iii inches : 1-25 x -88 (Gilbert). 



Observations. — This splendid bird is the northern species of Partridge 

 Bronze Wing or Squatter Pigeon. For our knowledge of this pecidiar 

 Pigeon we are alone indebted to the reseaixhes of Gilbert, who found it 

 somewhat abundant in all parts of the Port Darwin district, where, how- 

 ever, its appearance was irregular. 



Gilbert obsen-ed that the incubating months are from August to 

 October, but doubtless it breeds later on, perhaps at any time of the year. 



The young, like those of the other species of this singular genus, are 

 hatched clothed with down, like a young quail. 



552. — LoPHopH.vps piA'MiFERA, Gould. — (467) 

 PLUMED PIGEON. 



Figure.- — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 6q. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxi.. p. 533. 



Previous Description of Eggs. — Campbell : Victorian Naturalist 

 (1886). 



Cleographical Disfributinn. — Northern Territory, Interiors of Queens- 

 land and South AustraUa (?). 



Nest.- — A slight depression in the ground, sheltered by herbage — 

 spinifes, &c. 



Effffs. — Clutch, two ; elliptical in shape ; texture of shell fine ; 

 surface glossy ; colour, light creamy-white. Dimensions in inches : 

 1-0 X -79. 



Observations. — As Gould remarks, this genus of elegant little Crested 

 Pigeons is peculiar to the heated and arid plains of the gi-eat interior, 

 where the birds seem to delight in basking in the tremendous heat of the 

 sun. This Plumed Pigeon is the most northern variety. 



