138 Macgillivray, Notes on Some N. Queensland Birds. l^^f^Ya-n 



consequently shot freely for the table, but, fortunately for the bird, 

 the so-called sportsman who goes in for record bags has not extended 

 his depredations to these parts as yet. 



In the flesh an average bird measures 1 1 inches in length, the iris 

 is dark brown, the bill yellow tinged with green, legs and feet pale 

 greenish-blue. The stomach contents consist invariably of wild fruit, 

 for which they have an immense capacity. The lower mandible 

 is very distensible, and large sections of banana are easily swallowed. 

 A young bird brought irom Torres Strait by Dr. Dobbyn lived in 

 Broken Hill for 10 months, and died only of neglect in its 

 owner's absence from home. This bird's migration from Papua 

 occurs in early spring. On the i6th August, 191 1, Mr. M'Lennan 

 saw two large flocks flying past Lockerbie and heading south-east, 

 about sunset. On the 3rd September, 191 1, these birds were flying 

 south all day in large flocks. 



The earliest nest recorded was found on the 4th September, and the 

 latest on the 15th January. 



Lopholaimus minor. Little Topknot Pigeon. — On the i6th May, 

 191 1, when camped 28 miles from Peak Point, and near the Jardine 

 River, Mr. M'Lennan saw three of these Pigeons. Next day he saw 

 a large flock of them, flying south. Mr. Vidgen, of Paira, a few days 

 previously, saw two flocks flying overhead, coming from across the 

 Strait and going south. He states that none had passed over for 

 seven or eight years, and ten years again previously to that, so that 

 we can regard the bird as only an occasional visitor from New Guinea. 

 The colouring of the soft parts of two males are as follows : — Iris, 

 outer circle crimson, front of inner circle brown, rest yellow ; upper 

 mandible fleshy-brown, lower mandible pinkish-red. legs reddish- 

 brown. 



Geopelia humeralis. Barred-shouldered Dove. — In the Gulf country 

 this species was not noted until the Gregory River was reached, and 

 became more numerous nearer the coast. It was a common 

 bird at Cape York, feeding usually on the ground in the open pockets, 

 and resorting to the mangroves for nesting purposes. It is also found 

 on nearly all the islands off the coast. Nests were noted in January, 

 February, May, September, October, and November. 



Geopelia tranquilla. Ground-Dove. — Mr. M'Lennan found a nest 

 at his first camp on the Cloncurry River on 8th February. They 

 were plentiful along all the rivers running into the Gulf. Nests were 

 noted on ist March, 17th April, loth June, 30th June, and 2nd July. 

 At Cape York they were numerous during February, March, and April. 



Geopelia cuneata. Diamond Dove. — Numerous along the Clon- 

 curry and other rivers in the " Gulf." One nest was found, on 26th 

 June, 1910, on the Leichhardt River, built in a bauhinia tree ; it 

 contained two young birds. Also noted at Cape York, but not 

 numerous. 



Chalcophaps chrysochlora. Little Green-Pigeon. — This bird was 

 more plentiful at Cape York during 191 2 than previously. It is a 

 ground feeder on fallen fruits. In the flesh this species measures 

 about 10 inches in length, the iris is dark brown, the bill pink with 

 a bluish tinge at the base, legs reddish-pink with a whitish stripe 

 down the back 



Phaps chalcoptera. Bronze winged Pigeon. — One of these birds 



