.VESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 5y; 



pure white. Dimensious in inches of a proper ckitch : (1) i-53 x 1-07, 

 (2) 1-45 X M ; of au odd example : 1-5 x M. 



Ubservatiom. — This splendid large Pigeou (specially prized by epi- 

 cures for the delicacy of its fine-flavoured flesh) is a denizen of eastern 

 forests and scrub, from Cardwell district, North Queensland, to 

 Victoria. Not many years ago I saw Wonga-Wongas in the Daude- 

 nongs, near Melbourne. As a rule it is a stationary species. 



The greyish dappled plumage, relieved with pink feet and bill and 

 rich brown eyes, needs no fmther description. It is a good plump 

 bird, its body, when shot, averaging about a poimd weight. It loves 

 to dwell in the everlasting shades of the scrub, and seems always to be 

 on the ground feeding upon fallen fruits and berries. Along some 

 lonely and unfrequented track they may be flu.slied with loud flapping 

 noise of wings, and they usually afford a good shot by flying along 

 the track for a short distance before diverging into the sci-ub. Their 

 loud call-notes axe readily distinguished from all other Pigeons', being 

 a rapid, continuous, high-pitched " hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo," which may be 

 heard half-a-mile off. 



The eggs I originally described were from the collection of 

 Dr. A. E. Cox, and were taken at Penrith, New South Wales. 

 Although tliis fine Pigeon is fairly numerous in certain locaUties, its 

 eggs seem to be rarely found. 



From Mr. Lau's manuscript I glean : " In all scrubs — cedar, 

 myrtle, pine, or brigalow — the Wonga is surely to be met, living on 

 seeds of the undergi-owth as well as caterpillars (procession). Coming 

 to a virgin scrub, as I did, to the Highfield (Toowoomba Range), tliis 

 fine bird, of handsome plumage, and excellent for the table, appeared 

 very plentiful, so much so that duiing my stay of eleven months, I with 

 others must have shot a thousand. Here I found several nests — the 

 most scantily made of all Pigeons', and frequently crawling with dis- 

 gusting vermin, caterpillars, &c. The two eggs can be seen from 

 below tlirough the sticks. Tlie nest is situated from ten to twenty 

 feet from the ground, generally in the fork of a middle-sized tree. 

 Although I have obsei-ved two broods, I believe they have three. 

 Have formd nests in July and November." 



Mr. Lau naively adds that civilization is fast diminishing the ranks 

 of the Wonga- Wonga Pigeons. I should say so, when he admits that 

 he and his companions alone shot over a thousand birds in eleven 

 months ! 



Chief breeding mouths October to Jaiiuai-y. 



It ha.s also been found laying in the autumn season, while in the 

 Omeo district of Victoria, on the 1st July, 1897, when snow was upon 

 the ground, Mr. I. W. De Lany shot a female containing two nearly 

 developed eggs. 



These bii-ds thrive well in an aviaiy, where they sometimes lay eggs, 

 but never sit upon them. 



