124 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



to the edge of the pool, but dashed down to the ground at 

 about ten yards' distance, remained quiet for a short time, 

 then walked leisurely to the water, and, after drinking, 

 winged its way to its roosting-place : with a knowledge, there- 

 fore, of the habits of this bird, the weary traveller may always 

 know when he is in the vicinity of water ; and, however arid 

 the appearance of the country may be, if he observes the Bronze- 

 wing wending its way to a given point, he may be certain 

 to procure a supply of water. When rain has fallen in abun- 

 dance, and the rivers and lagoons are filled, the case is mate- 

 rially altered ; then the Bronze-wing and many other birds 

 are not so easily procured. 



It has been supposed that a partial exodus of this species 

 takes place from time to time, a circumstance which I think 

 is very probable, as its numbers, are sometimes suddenly in- 

 creased. After the breeding season is over, both the adults 

 and young resort to. the stubble-fields of the settlers, when 

 from twenty to thirty brace may be killed in a day. Although, 

 as I have before stated, the Bronze-wing is an excellent article 

 of food, it must yield the palm in this respect to the Wonga- 

 wonga Pigeon [Leucosarcia picata) and the Partridge Bronze- 

 wing {Geophaps scripta), whose flesh is white and more deli- 

 cate in flavour. 



The Bronze-wing feeds almost entirely on the ground, where 

 it finds the various kinds of leguminous seeds that constitute its 

 food. It breeds during August and four following months, and 

 often rears two or more broods ; the eggs are white and two 

 in number, one inch and three-eighths long and one inch broad. 



Its nest, which is very similar to that of the other members 

 of the family, is a frail structure of small twigs, rather hollow 

 in form, and is usually placed on the horizontal branch of an 

 apple- or gum-tree near the ground, those trees growing on 

 flat meadow land near water being evidently preferred. This 

 species is very frequently seen in confinement, both in its 

 native country and in England. 



