CAEPOPHAGA LUCTUOSA. 



(Torres' Straits Pigeon.) 



Upper and under surface, creamy white ; the middle feathers of the tail are tipped with black to the extent of about one third of their 

 length ; the remaining tail feathers terminate in the same color, but less in proportion to their distance from the central feathers — the outer- 

 most of all have a very slight tip of black, but the outer edge for the greater part of its length, towards the base, is black ; primaries, 

 secondaries, and spurious wing, dark grey ; under tail coverts, banded with black near the extremity of each feather ; a few feathers about the 

 legs, spotted with black ; bill, greenish grey, tipped wdth yellow ; feet, blackish green. 



Length, 15 inches ; wing, 91 ; tail, 5i ; tarsus. If ; bill, |. 



This species is plentiful at Cape York and throughout Northern Australia, during the spring and summer months, and generally 

 makes its appearance about October. It frequents the scrubs to feed upon the berries and wild figs. During the mid-day heat it seeks the 

 thick shade, but may be commonly seen in the morning or evening in flocks, or clustering on the tops of bare trees. The flight of this species 

 is strong and rapid. It commences breeding immediately on its arrival, the nests being often built among the mangroves close to the shore ; 

 they are constructed of fine sticks, but in such sparing quantity as barely to prevent the eggs from falling through. The eggs are one or two 

 in number, and white. At certain times the flesh of this species is dry and without flavor, but at others is esteemed very good eating. 

 Leichhardt mentions this bird as being pretty common in the forest country round the Grulf of Carpentaria, being generally seen in pairs, and 

 very shy in disposition. It exists in prodigious numbers on Cairncross Island, on the N.E. coast, where it feeds upon the red plum-like fruit 

 of the Mimusops Kaukii. Its note is a loud and deep coo, like that of other pigeons, but more powerful. 



CAEPOPHAGA LELTCOMELA. 



(White-headed Fruit Figeon.) 



Head, neck, and breast, white, tinged with bufl", especially on the crown ; back, wings, and tail, blackish grey ; rump and upper wing coverts, 

 bordered with bronzy purple or green ; abdomen, dingy bufl", passing into slate color on the flanks ; bill, reddish pink, tipped with light 

 yellow; irides, reddish hazel; orbits, pink; feet, buff" — -the scales rose color, and the claws white. The female is smaller in size than the male, 

 and her markings less defined. 



Length, 15^ inches ; wing, Q^ ; tail, 6 ; tarsus, 1^ ; bill, |-. 



This swift-flying species is found throughout the scrubs of New South Wales and Queensland, such situations abounding with 

 the various wild fruits on which it feeds, and which are more or less plentiful at all times of the year. It builds a slight nest of sticks, and 

 the eggs are one or two in number ; color, pure white. 



