212 THEIK BKEEDING AT KNOWSLEY. [CHAP. vi. 



the depressed interior [parts of the interior of Australia 

 are below the level of the sea, reminding us of the Dead 

 Sea, another sterile hollow on the earth's surface] , never 

 ascending to higher land, where there are extensive 

 marshes covered with the Polygonium geranium. In 

 river valleys, on the flats of which the same bramble 

 grows, the Ocyphaps lophotes is sure to be found ; but 

 there is no part of the interior over which I have tra- 

 velled where it is not, and it is very evident that its 

 range is right across the continent from north to south. 

 The general colour of this bird is a light purple or slate 

 colour, and its form and plumage are both much more 

 delicate than that of the Bronze-wing ; but it is by no 

 means so fine a bird, its flesh being neither tender nor 

 well-flavoured. It builds in low shrubs in exposed 

 situations, and lays two eggs on so few twigs that it is 

 only surprising how they remain together." 



There are several points connected with the breeding 

 of the Marsh Pigeon in England, for the knowledge of 

 which I beg to express my thanks to the Earl of Derby, 

 that well deserve the attention of naturalists. 



In the first place, there are several birds, natives of 

 the southern hemisphere, whose descendants, as well as 

 themselves, show their constitutions to be excited by the 

 seasonal periods of their original home, though they 

 themselves have for years been inhabitants of the 

 northern half of the world. One of these, as will be 

 seen, is the Emeu ; another is the Ocyphaps lophotes. 



Feb. 12. "I have a few of the Crested Pigeon (of the 

 Marshes) of Australia, a pair of which last season made 

 three nests, and laid ^herein, but only once reared a 

 young one. A short time since, going into the place 

 where they were, and looking up, I saw something 



