334 CHARADRIIFORMES CHAP. 
Sub-fam. 1. Gourinae.—This contains seven species of Goura 
—G. coronata of Western New Guinea, Waigiou, Batanta, Sala- 
watti, and Mysol, G. cinerea of the Arfak Mountains, G. sclateri 
of Central and Southern New Guinea, G@. albertist of South-East 
New Guinea, G. scheepmakeri, probably from South-West New 
Guinea—all of which have the erect crest-feathers with entirely 
decomposed webs—G. victoria of Jobi and Mysori, and G. beccarit 
of Central and North New Guinea—which have them with spatulate 
tips. The first of these, discovered by Dampier in 1699, is bluish- 
slate-coloured, with darker wings, and some black on the chin and 
sides of the head; a broad chestnut band crossing the back, one of 
white shewing conspicuously on the wing, and one of grey termin- 
ating the tail. The other species differ in the amount of chestnut 
above, the wing-bar being grey and the breast chestnut in some 
cases. These birds are found near open or cultivated lands, ranging 
from the coast regions to an altitude of a thousand feet; they feed 
in small flocks, and eat seeds, berries, and other fruits, buds of plants, 
worms, and insects. The usual note is long, harsh, and trumpet- 
hike, the love-call a short mournful coo. When disturbed they 
take to cover, and pitch upon low branches, where they also 
roost; in the heat of the day they lie in the shade with out- 
spread wings and tail; and in the courting-season the cocks 
fight savagely for the hens. The nest, a careless platform of 
sticks, contains one large white egg. 
Sub-fam. 2. Peristerinae—This ranges over both the Old and 
the New World, Zenaida, Peristera, and their closest allies being 
confined to the latter, while Zurtur, Phaps, and so forth belong 
to the former. 
Group (a).—Caloenas nicobarica, which extends from the Nico- 
bar Islands through the Malay Archipelago to the Solomons, is a 
metallic-green bird, with bronzy reflexions and blackish head, neck, 
and upper breast, most of the remiges being black, and the tail 
with its coverts white. The long narrow neck-hackles, the roughly- 
scaled legs, and the black knob at the base of the bill are also 
remarkable features. Partly but not entirely terrestrial, it walks 
at a great rate, feeds mainly upon the ground on seeds, utters 
a croaking note, often builds in societies on trees, and lays one 
white egg. C. pelewensis, of the Pelew Islands, is smaller and bluer. 
Group ().—This section of the Sub-family contains several. 
robust forms, with fairly long, stout legs, and short, rounded wings. 
