QUEENSLAND and NORTHERN TERRITORY 45 



birds of which forty-one are not found elsewhere. 

 This useful insect eating bird of Australia has an 

 increasing number of enemies. The best provision 

 for its protection should be enforced. 



HOME OF THE FRUIT PIGEON AND 

 WOOD PIGEON 



The Nutmeg Pigeon is a remarkable bird and is 

 the great factor in the distribution of the nutmeg 

 seed. It migrates from New Guinea, and associates 

 on the islands off Queensland in nesting season. 

 During the evening hundreds of thousands settle 

 on the mangroves and palms. Next morning one 

 half of them fly rapidly across the sea to the moun- 

 tains of the mainland, to return each evening. The 

 sight of thousands of white birds rising together, 

 or fluttering in the green belt of timber, is a very 

 fine one. Hichinbrook Island is a favourite place 

 to witness the daily travel. It is a great nesting 

 site. The nest is a flimsy structure just as with 

 other pigeons. 



The Topknot Pigeon, with a grey dress, is a more 

 southern bird, and as an occidental, has got as far 

 south as Tasmania. 



The Red-crowned, Rose-crowned and Purple- 

 crowned Fruit Pigeons inhabit the luxurious humid 

 scrubs and unconsciously mimic the foliage of the 

 trees in which they live; dark greens and rich 

 purples. 



