RASORES. 131 



both of the ornithologist and the epicure, since to the first it 

 is of interest as being a typical example of a minor group of 

 the CohtmbidcB, whose habits and economy are very peculiar, 

 and to the second as a most delicate viand for the table. It 

 is unquestionably one of the very best birds I ate while in 

 Australia ; and, in my opinion, it is second to none in any 

 other part of the world ; for, as in the Wonga-wonga, both 

 the upper and under pectoral muscles are white, juicy and de- 

 licately flavoured. It is to be regretted that a bird pos- 

 sessing such high qualifications as an article of food should 

 be so exclusively a denizen of the plains of the interior that it 

 is available to few except inland travellers ; for it would be of 

 especial interest to the sportsman from its offering a closer 

 resemblance to the Gallinacecs than any other Pigeon. 



I sometimes observed it in pairs, but more frequently in 

 small flocks of from four to six in number, which, when ap- 

 proached, instead of seeking safety by flight, ran off with 

 exceeding rapidity in an opposite direction, and crouched down, 

 either on the bare plain or among any scanty herbage that 

 appeared to offer the best shelter, and where they often 

 laid until all but trodden upon. It was not unfrequently 

 killed by bullock-drivers with their whips, while passing along 

 the roads with their teams. When it does rise, it flies with 

 extreme rapidity, making a loud burring noise with the wings 

 and generally spinning off" to another part of the plain, or to 

 the horizontal branch of a tree, on which it immediately 

 squats in the same line with the limb, from which it is not 

 easily distinguished or driven off". 



I met with this bird on the Liverpool Plains, whence 

 as far as I proceeded on the Lower Namoi its numbers ap-" 

 peared to increase. I have also heard that it is equally abun- 

 dant on all the plains and banks of the rivers between New 

 South Wales and the Murray in South Australia ; and Mr. 

 Elsey informed me that the Squatter or Partridge Bronze- 

 wing is numerous on the Lower Burdekin and in the scrubs 



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