171 
confinement. And I make the record of this particular instance 
with greater confidence, because the previous experience of the So- 
ciety’s Menagerie affords proof that the bird discovered by M. Steurs 
in Gillolo, and described in the Proceedings of 1844 under the name 
of Goura Victoria, by Mr. L. Fraser, is not the female of Goura 
coronata, as has been suggested, but a true and distinct species. 
The number of Crowned-Pigeons in possession of the Society having 
been reduced to a single female of Goura Victoria, and a male of 
Goura coronata, they were placed, by my direction, in the same divi- 
sion of the old Aviary. In the beginning of June last it was observed 
that they had paired. About two months afterwards they began to 
make attempts at the construction of anest. In the open part of the 
Aviary there was a large branch of a tree fixed transversely, as a perch, 
about six feet from the ground. They commenced their work by 
carrying up twigs and pieces of stick which had been purposely placed 
within their reach, to the extremity of the perch, and vainly endea- 
voured to fabricate a platform on this slippery and insufficient foun- 
dation. The careful keeper watched their difficulty, and supplied 
them with the necessary support by fixing there a flat piece of basket- 
work. 
They now began in earnest, and on the 15th of August they ceased 
from their labor, durmg which the male had generally carried up the 
materials and the female disposed of them. On this eventful day it is 
supposed the single egg was laid, but it was so constantly covered by 
one or other of the birds, that the keeper did not get sight of it for 
some time afterwards. The nest was within a few feet of the front of 
the Aviary, which during the period of incubation was passed by many 
thousands of visitors : still so adroitly did the birds watch their oppor- 
tunity, that I heard of no instance, except that in which the keeper 
saw the egg, in which they were discovered in the act of relieving 
each other. The exposed situation of the nest, which was very 
slightly protected by the thin foliage of a climbing rose, rendered me 
apprehensive of the effects of the weather on the young bird, which 
was hatched on the 13th of September. It was covered with con- 
stant assiduity by one or other of the parents, who fed it while be- 
neath them. Whether from excess of care or from accident I know 
not, but it was found dead in the nest on the morning of the 17th, 
the mother still sitting there with unmoved constancy, and over- 
shadowing the dead corpse with her warm breast, as if incredulous of 
her bereavement. Knowing the interest with which I regarded this 
Malasian child, my accomplished friend Mr. Wolf was kind enough to 
preserve its aspect in the characteristic sketch which forms the sub- 
ject of the annexed engraving (Aves, Pl. XIII.). 
On the 24th of October another egg was produced, but, having 
been dropped from a perch in the house, was found broken on the 
ground. These birds are still in admirable health, and I have hope 
that if they breed at an earlier period in the approaching season, they 
will have better fortune, and succeed in bringing their produce to 
maturity. 
While upon this subject, I may perhaps not inappropriately advert 
