8 Campbell and Barnard, Bird^ of N. Queensland. [^^f j^iy 



Geopella tranquilla. Ground-Dove. 



Geopelia placidn placida. 



Common about Cardwell. Were often seen in front of the Marine 

 Hotel picking up seeds, or were in the yard about the horse feeding- 

 boxes . 



Regarding the sub-species, placida v. tranquilla, the former appears 

 to be a smaller and northern race of the latter; 



Chalcophaps longirostris. Long-billed Green-Pigeon. 

 Chalcophaps chrysochlora rogersi. 



Frequently seen in the brush near Cardwell, and was common in 

 the scrubs of the Murray River and the Kirrama Range, usually seen 

 feeding on the ground. Little Green-Pigeons frequently visited the 

 gardens of the settlers, and were pretty objects when seen fossicking 

 underneath the fruit trees. 



Besides the difference in the length of the bills, this bird appears 

 richer and more chocolate-coloured on the underneath parts than 

 the southern Green-Pigeon. 



Geophaps seripta. Partridge-Pigeon. 



At one time this bird was common in most of the coastal country 

 of Queensland, particularly in the Dawson River district ; but for 

 the last ten years it has completely disappeared from this part. We 

 were very pleased to renew our acquaintance with a few of these 

 interesting Pigeons on the Kirrama Table-land, beliind Cardwell. Mr. 

 E. D. Collins, of Kirrama. Station, informed us that the birds had 

 almost disappeared there for some years previous to our visit, but 

 that lately they appeared to be increasing again. We are of opinion 

 that the Partridge-Pigeon should be rigidly and totally protected 

 for many years, if it is not in the immediate future to be wiped out. 

 They are confiding creatures, which contributes to their danger. The 

 ones we saw on the track barely got out of our way ; they merely 

 trotted aside and "squatted" on the ground, or on a fallen stick, 

 while we passed: 



Rallina tricolor. Red-necked Rail, 



Rallina tricolor robinsoni. 



Heard calling at night in the scrubs of the Murray River. This 

 Rail is very seldom seen, on account of its extreme shyness or 

 nocturnal habits. The nesting site is merely a slight depression at 

 the foot of a tree or stump, in which a few leaves are placed. The 

 eggs are white. 



During the season of 191 5, Mr. Thos. R. Gardiner, a very observant 

 bushman, now residing at " Fringford," was out wallaby-shooting 

 one afternoon. On returning, about dusk, through some long grass 

 near the river, he felt something picking at his legs, and, with thoughts 

 of " snake," instantly looked down, and to his surprise saw a mother 

 Red-necked Rail endeavouring to protect several jet-black, downy 

 chicks that Mr. Gardiner was nearly treading upon. 



It is now accepted that the Red-necked Rail lays uniform dull 

 white eggs, not red-speckled or blotched as those of most other Rails: 



Porphyrio melanotus. Bald-Coot. 



Porphyria melanotus neomelanotus. 



Seen about marshy places on the Murray River and also at the 

 Kirrama Creek, on the table-land; 



