THE BRONZE-WING PIGEON. 449 



and their outer webs are bronzy-purple at the base, tipped with brown, and edged with white. 

 The two central feathers of the tail are brown, the rest are blackish-brown, with a green gloss 

 on their outer webs and tipped with white. The bill is olive-black, deepening at the tip, the 

 feet are pink, and the eye orange set in a pink orbit. 



The Bronze-wing Pigeon is also an Australian bird, and with the exception of the 

 Wonga-Wonga Pigeon, hereafter to be described, is the most celebrated for the delicacy of its 

 flesh. 



It is a plump, and readily fattening bird, weighing about a pound when in good condition. 

 The breast is particularly large, as may be supposed from the great force of its wings, and 

 when the bird is fat, is the most esteemed portion. To the Australian traveller the Bronze- 

 wing is invaluable, as it is a great water-drinker, and its flight will direct the thirsty wanderer 

 to the stream or spring. Mr. Gould, who has had long experience of this as well as of many 

 other birds, gives the following interesting account of its habits : — 



" Its amazing powers of flight enable it to pass in an incredibly short space of time over a 

 great expanse of country, and just before sunset it may be observed swiftly winging its way 

 over the plains or down the gullies to its drinking place. 



" During the long drought of 1839-40, when I was encamped at the northern extremity of 

 the Brezi range, I had daily opportunities of observing the arrival of this bird to drink ; the 

 only water for miles, as I was assured by the natives, being that in the immediate vicinity of 

 my tent, and that was merely the scanty supply left in a few natural basins in the rocks, 

 which had been filled by the rains of many months before. This peculiar situation afforded 

 me an excellent opportunity for observing not only the Bronze-wing, but many other birds 

 inhabiting the neighborhood. Few, if any, of the true insectivorous or fissirostrial birds came 

 to the water holes, but, ou the other hand, those species that live upon grain and seeds, par- 

 ticularly the parrots and honey-eaters [Trichoglossi and Meliphagi), were continually rushing 

 down to the edges of the pools, utterly regardless of my presence, their thirst for water quite 

 overcoming their sense of danger ; seldom, if ever, however, did the Bronze-wing make its 

 appearance during the heat of the day ; but at sundown, on the contrary, it arrived with arrow- 

 like swiftness, either singly or in pairs. 



"It did not descend at once to the edge of the pool, but dashed dowu to the ground at 

 about ten yards 1 distance, remained quiet for a short time, then walked leisurely to the water, 

 and after taking libations deep and frequent, winged its way to its roosting-place for the 

 night. With a knowledge, therefore, of the habits of this bird, the weary traveller may 

 always perceive when he is in the vicinity of water ; and however arid the appearance of the 

 country may be, if he observes the Bronze-wing wending its way from all quarters to a given 

 point, he may be certain to procure a supply of food and water. When rain has fallen in 

 abundance, and the rivers and lagoons are filled not only to the brim, but the water has spread 

 over the surface of the surrounding country, the case is materially altered ; then the Bronze- 

 wing and many other birds are not so easily procured, the abundant supply of the element so 

 requisite to their existence, rendering ir no longer necessary that they should brave every 

 danger in procuring it." 



This Pigeon does not assemble in flocks, but in many parts of the country is so plentiful 

 and is so attached to certain localities that forty or fifty may be killed in a day after the 

 breeding season, when it is in best condition. It feeds almost invariably on the ground, 

 its diet consisting chiefly of leguminous seeds. The nest is a frail structure of twigs, 

 rather more hollowed than is usually the case with the houses of Pigeons, and is placed on 

 the low forking branch of a gum-tree near water. The bird is presumed to undergo a partial 

 migration. 



In color, the forehead is buff, the head is dark brown changing to deep plum color at the 

 sides, the sides of the neck are gray, and there is a, white waved line under the eye, and run- 

 ning partly down the chin. The upper surface of the body is dark brown. The coverts are 

 marked with bronze-green spots, and the tertiaries have a large oblong shining green spot, 

 edged with buff. The two central feathers of the tail are brown, and the rest gray, banded with 



Vol. II.— 57. 



