174 



CRESTED TURTLE. 



Turtur? lophotes. 

 PLATE XVIII. 



Columba lophotes, Temminck, PI. Col. pi. 142, Le m&le 

 Wdgler, Syst. Av. sp. 103. 



THE general contour of this bird, as well as the 

 form of its bill and feet, plainly indicate its near re- 

 lationship to the turtles, among which we have pro- 

 visionally placed it, though it is likely it may form, 

 in conjunction with the Columba humeralis of Tem- 

 minck, and some other species, in which the tail is 

 long and considerably graduated, a separate or sub- 

 generic group. It is distinguished from all its con- 

 geners, and rendered remarkable by its long occipi- 

 tal crest, which, in form as well as in the quality of 

 the feathers of which it is composed, exactly resem- 

 bles that of the common Peewit f Vanellas cristatus). 

 Its native country is Australia, and it inhabits the 

 interior and mountainous districts of that interesting 

 country ; but we regret to add, that of its peculiar 

 habits and economy we have no detailed accounts, 

 a loss the more to be regretted, as it is from our 

 knowledge of these that the proper position of the 



