294 PYGMIES AND PAPUANS 



FAMILY COLUMBID^E — PIGEONS. 



Pigeons were very numerously represented, no fewer 

 than twenty-six different species being obtained by 

 the Expedition. Some of the smaller forms are among 

 the most beautifully coloured birds met with in New 

 Guinea. The Crowned Pigeons (Goura) are represented 

 by G. sclatcri which was fairly common near the base 

 camp and met with in all places visited by the Expe- 

 dition. In spite of the numbers shot for food during the 

 whole time the Expedition remained in the country, 

 the supply did not appear to diminish. This fine Pigeon 

 and a few others afforded the only fresh meat to be had. 

 On the canoe-journeys up the river Sclater's Goura was 

 frequently met with in the early mornings in parties of 

 two or three searching for aquatic life along the muddy 

 banks. When disturbed they did not immediately take 

 flight, but with raised wings pirouetted around for a few 

 seconds and then flew to the nearest high tree. Mr. 

 Goodfellow found the remains of small crabs in their 

 stomachs and a large percentage of the birds shot were 

 infested by a small red parasite, the same, or similar to 

 that which is known in other parts of New Guinea as 

 "Scrub-itch." 



Another very handsome bird is the Ground-Pigeon 

 [Oiidiphaps nohilis) with the head bluish-black, the nape 

 dull metallic green, the mantle and wings purplish-chest- 

 nut and the rest of the plumage deep purple, all being 

 more or less metallic. Its long legs and the upward 

 carriage of its long tail give it much the appearance of a 

 Bantam hen. It was fairly common, but being extremely 

 shy was rarely met with. 



Among the larger Fruit-Pigeons we must specially 

 mention Carpophaga pinoii which has the general appear- 

 ance of a large Wood-Pigeon. It was met with in large 

 flocks and proved an excellent bird for the table. Another 



