334 CHARADRIIFORMES CHAP. 



Sub-fam. 1. Gourinae. This contains seven species of Gourci 

 G. coronata of Western New Guinea, Waigiou, Batanta, Sala- 

 watti, and Mysol, G. cinerea of the Arfak Mountains, G. sclateri 

 of Central and Southern New Guinea, G. allertisi of South-East 

 New Guinea, G, scheepmakeri, probably from South-West New 

 Guinea all of which have the erect crest-feathers with entirely 

 decomposed webs G. victoria of Jobi and Mysori, arid G. leccarii 

 of Central and North New Guinea which have them with spatulate 

 tips. The first of these, discovered by Dampier in 1699, is bluish- 

 slate-coloured, with darker wings, and some black on the chin and 

 sides of the head; a broad chestnut band crossing the back, one of 

 white shewing conspicuously on the wing, and one of grey termin- 

 ating the tail. The other species differ in the amount of chestnut 

 above, the wing-bar being grey and the breast chestnut in some 

 cases. These birds are found near open or cultivated lands, ranging 

 from the coast regions to an altitude of a thousand feet ; they feed 

 in small flocks, and eat seeds, berries, and other fruits, buds of plants, 

 worms, and insects. The usual note is long, harsh, and trumpet- 

 like, the love-call a short mournful coo. When disturbed they 

 take to cover, and pitch upon low branches, where they also 

 roost; in the heat of the day they lie in the shade with out- 

 spread wings and tail ; and in the courting-season the cocks 

 fight savagely for the hens. The nest, a careless platform of 

 sticks, contains one large white egg. . 



Sub-fam. 2. Peristerinae. This ranges over both the Old and 

 the New World, Zenaida, Peristera, and their closest allies being 

 confined to the latter, while Turtur, Phaps, and so forth belong 

 to the former. 



Group (a). Caloenas nicolarica, which extends from the Nico- 

 bar Islands through the Malay Archipelago to the Solomons, is a 

 metallic-green bird, with bronzy reflexions and blackish head, neck, 

 and upper breast, most of the remiges being black, arid the tail 

 with its coverts white. The long narrow neck-hackles, the roughly- 

 scaled legs, and the black knob at the base of the bill are also 

 remarkable features. Partly but not entirely terrestrial, it walks 

 at a great rate, feeds mainly upon the ground on seeds, utters 

 a croaking note, often builds in societies on trees, and lays one 

 white egg. C. pelewensis, of the Pelew Islands, is smaller and bluer. 



Group (&). This section of the Sub-family contains several 

 robust forms, with fairly long, stout legs, and short, rounded wings. 



