CHAP, vt.] INTEREST OF THE BIRD. 197 



Captain Baudin brought borne two individuals killed at 

 the Canal d'Entrecasteaux. The species appears in 

 general very abundant in all parts of the Pacific Ocean ; 

 they are found at Norfolk Island, in different parts of 

 New Holland, and are especially very common in the 

 environs of Sidney Cove and the Bale Botanique." 



Here, then, is a bird, which flits before the eyes of 

 our fellow-subjects and blood-relations at the antipodes; 

 which must have engaged the attention, and doubtless 

 often diverted the sad remorseful thoughts, of the 

 convict; which excited the curiosity, and satisfied the 

 cravings after fresh meat, of such men as Sir Joseph 

 Banks and Captain Cook. When we see it caged in our 

 presence, and trimming its glittering epaulettes in the 

 sun, we cannot look upon it with indifference without 

 some wish that it could be made to dwell, unrestrained, 

 in our Dovecotes, and afford matter of instruction to our 

 children, by the innumerable associations and lessons 

 connected with its history. 



Temminck continues, " The Lumachelle (whence 

 comes this name ? ) Pigeons delight in sandy and arid 

 places : they love to remain on the ground or on low 

 branches ; at the Bale Botanique they are only seen 

 from the end of September till February (the spring 

 there). They always appear in pairs; they usually 

 make their nests in the holes of trees at a slight dis- 

 tance from the ground, often on the ground itself, and 

 lay two white eggs ; their principal food is a small fruit 

 resembling a cherry : the kernels of this fruit are 

 always found in their gizzard. It is easy to make sure 

 of their place of retreat, for their very sonorous cooing, 

 at a certain distance, resembles the lowing of cows. 

 The natives of New Holland designate the Lumachelle 



