195 



BRONZE- WINGED GROUND DOVE. 



Phaps chalcoptera. 

 PLATE XXI. 



Columba chalcoptera, Lath. Ind. Ornith. 2. 604, sp. 39 

 W'dgler, Syst. Av. sp. 57 Columba Lumachelle, Temm. 

 Pig. 8vo, p. 103, pi. ,22. 



ALTHOUGH this species cannot vie in richness 

 and diversity of plumage with many of the pigeon 

 tribe, yet there are few whose general appearance 

 gives greater satisfaction or pleasure to the eye. 

 This appears to be the result of the effect produced 

 by the metallic splendour of the spots upon the wing- 

 coverts (which, in different lights, emulate the opal, 

 the ruby, and the sapphire in brilliancy), as contrast- 

 ed with the pleasing though subdued tint of the rest 

 of the plumage. 



The Bronze-winged Dove is a native of Australia, 

 and many of the islands of the Pacific. It affects 

 sandy and arid situations, and is usually seen upon 

 the ground, or sometimes perched upon the low 

 branches of the shrubs that grow in such situations. 

 It breeds in the holes or decayed stumps of trees 

 near the ground, arid not unfrequently upon the sur- 



