rut: HI;O*/.I:.\\IM; 



and their outer webs are bmn/\ -pnrpl.- at the base, tip|>ed \\itli I. r. m n. and edged with white. 

 'I'M.' two central feather- <if tli.- t:iil an- brown, ill.- n-t are blackish-brown, with a green low 

 on their outer webs aii<i tip|>ed with white. Tli.- 1-ill is ..liv.--l.lai-k. deepening at tin- tip, the 

 feet are pink, and the eye orange set in a pink orbit. 



TIIK HI:OS/I WINU PIOEOX is also an Australian l>ir<l, and with the, exception of the 

 \V. .:;_-:i \\ onga Pigeon, hereafter to be described, is the most celebrated for the delicacy of its 

 flesh. 



li is a plump, and readily fatt.-nin^ bird, weighing alxnit a pound when in good condition. 

 I'll.- brea-t is particularly large, as may lie supposed from the great force of its wings, and 

 when tin- l>ird is fat, is the most esteemed jMirtion. To th<- Australian tniveller the Hmnze- 

 wing is invaluable, as it is a great water-drinker, and its flight will direct th<- thirsty wanderer 

 to the stream or spring. Mr. Gould, who has had long exjierience of this as well as of many 

 oth.T bird-, i.'i\.-s thf following interesting account of its habits: 



" Its amazing jiowere of flight enable it to pass in an incredibly short space of time over a 

 peat expanse of country, and jmt bolON mMd i' BMJ be obwrred swift h winging its wmj 

 over the plains or down the gullies to its drinking place. 



" During the long drought of 1839-40, when I was encamjied at the northern extremity of 

 the Brezi range, I had daily opportunities of observing the arrival of this bird to drink ; the 

 only water for miles, as I was assured by the natives, being that in the immediate vicinity of 

 my tent, and that was merely the scanty supply left in a few natural basins in the rocks, 

 which had been filled by the rains of many months before. Tin- ]M-culiar situation afforded 

 me an excellent opjiortunity for observing not only the Bronze-win::, but many other birds 

 inhabiting the neighborhood. Few, if any, of the true insectivorous or IK- in -trial birds came 

 to the water holes, bur, on the other hand, those species tlmt live upon grain and seeds, par- 

 ticularly the parrots and honey-eaters (Trichoglottsi and Mt ///>//<///. ontinually rushing 

 down to the edges of the pools, utterly regardless of my presence, their thirst for water quite 

 overcoming their sense of danger; seldom, if ever, however, did the Bron/e-winir make its 

 appearance during the heat of tin day ; but at sundown, on the contrary, it arrived with arrow- 

 like swiftness, either singly or in pair-. 



" It did not descend at once to the edge of the pool, but dashed down to the ground at 

 about ten yards' distance, remained quiet fora short time, then walked leisurely to the water, 

 and after taking libations deep and frequent, whigi-d its way to its roosting-place for the 

 night. With a knowledge, therefore, of the habits of this bird, the weary tniveller may 

 always perceive when he is in the vicinity of water ; and however arid the appearance of the 

 country may be, if he observes the Bronze-wing wending its way from all quarters to a given 

 point, he maybe certain to procure a supply of food and water. When rain has fallen in 

 abundance, and the rivers and lagoons are filled not only to the brim, but the water has spread 

 over the surface of the surrounding country, the case is materially altered ; then the Bronze- 

 wing and many other birls are not so easily procured, the abundant supply of the element so 

 requisite to their existence, rendering it no longer necessary that they should brave every 

 danger in procuring it." 



This Pigeon does not assemble in flocks, but in many parts of the country is so plentiful 

 and is so attached to certain localities that forty or fifty may be killed in a day after the 

 breeding season, when it i- in IM--I condition. It f-eds almost invariably on the ground, 

 it- diet cnn-i-tinir chiefly of leguminous weds. The nest is a frail structure of twitrs. 

 rather more hollowed than i- n-uaHy the ca--\\itli the houses of Pigeons, and is placed on 

 the low forking branch of a gum-tree near water. The bird is presumed to undergo a partial 

 migration. 



In color, the forehead is buff, tin- head i- dark In-own changing to deep plum color at the 

 sides, the -ide- <,f the n.-ck are gray, and there is a white waved line under the eye, and nin- 

 ning jKirtly down the chin. The up|M-r surface of the l>ody is dark brown. The covert s are 

 marked with bron.- nd tin- tertian.-- have a larp- oblong Chilling ^n-en q 



edged with buff. The two central feathers of the tail an- brown, and the rest gray, banded with 

 VOUU.-B. 



