The Green- Whiged Pigeons of the Ge?ius Chalcophaps . 277


neck. I remember one of our members, who came from Scot¬

land to see my birds, making the discovery of the dead bird in

the grass. I did not expect to see any more imported for some

years, and was agreeably surprised to receive a wire from Mr.

Hamlyn in March, 1905, saying he was getting some home. Out

of this consignment, and another lot which I believe arrived in

April of the same year, I procured six, only one of which I was

able to get into health, the others all dying within two months.

The survivor is the parent of the two strong and healthy birds

now flying about as well as any birds I have.


There is practically nothing to record. They appear

to be easy to breed, and sit very steadily, the hen never leaving

the nest even when I have tried to disturb her. They are quiet

and peaceable birds, and not in the least interesting, excepting

in the evening before going to roost, when they fly about very

wildly. The young are marked exactly as the adult pair, the

only difference I can discover being their rather smaller size.

The old pair are now nesting again. Neither these birds nor any

of the Grass Parrakeets (excepting the Budgerigars) can stand

much cold, and I am of opinion they cannot be kept alive for

any lengthy period without growing grass to eat.


I should be pleased to show any of our members the young

birds, as well ‘as other interesting parrakeets I have bred this

year.



THE GREEN-WINGED PIGEONS OF THE

GENUS CHALCOPHAPS.


By D. Seth-SmiTh, F.Z.S.


The Green-winged Pigeons ( Chalcophaps ) are some of the

most brilliant of the Pigeon tribe if we except the true fruit¬

eating Pigeons. Six species are recognised, but some of these

are merely insular forms of the two best known species, namely

Chalcophaps chrysochlora and C. indica.


The typical C. chrysochlora inhabits Australia, the Lesser

Sunda Islands, Moluccas, New Guinea, the New Hebrides, New

■Caledonia, and Lord Howe Island. The back and wings are

shining metallic green, in some lights showing a golden hue, the



