GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



169 



THE CROWNED PIGEON. 



The Crowned Pigeon {Goura coronata) is principally of a slate-blue colour, wth chestnut-red 

 shoulders and white stripes on the centre of the wing ; the tail-feathers terminate in a white stripe. 

 The eye is yellowish scarlet, the back dull grey, and the foot red, powdered with white. The 

 length of this bird is t\venty-eight inches ; the wing measures fourteen and a half and the tail 

 ten inches. 



THE VICTORIA CROWNED PIGEON {Goura Victoria:). 



These birds, we learn from Wallace, inhabit the coast of New Guinea in large numbers, as also 

 the Islands of Waigiu, Salawati, and Misool. In their habits they resemble Pheasants, living upon 

 the ground, and wandering about the woods in small parties in search of fallen fruit. If alarmed, they 

 at once take refuge upon the low branch of a tree, and in this situation they also sleep. The nest 

 found by Rosenberg was very loosely constructed, and contained but one fledgling. Large numbers 

 of these birds are exported alive to Java, Amboyna, and Banda, and from thence to Europe ; from 

 this practice has arisen the idea that the species is indigenous to those islands. When in confinement 

 the Crowned Pigeons soon become tame, and learn to attach themselves to those who feed them. In 



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