741 



then it disappeared altogether, and from what I could 

 gather from the natives it is not found either in the Musgrave 

 or Everard Ranges. 



Phaps c. chalcoptera, Latham (Bronze-winged Pigeon). 



At one or two of the rock-holes these fine pigeons came in 

 to drink in the dusk of the evening ; in fact, there were some 

 instances when it was quite dark, and they could only be 

 identified by the sharp clapping noise made by the wings. In 

 -every case they were found to be very timid. 



LOPHOPHAPS PLUMIFERA LEUCOGASTER, Gould 



(White-bellied Plumed-Pigeon). 



There is not the slightest doubt that this bird inhabits the 

 -Musgrave Ranges, although I did not see the bird there myself. 

 Mr. Jack, after one of his flying trips to the southern side of 

 the ranges, reported having seen a small party of pigeons, and 

 from the description of colour and flight there is little doubt 

 it was this bird. They were met with in large parties in the 

 Everard Range. Whenever we came to a rock-hole there was 

 sure to be a party of these little pigeons close by. Morning 

 and evening they were found a few hundred 37-ards out upon the 

 plain, feeding amongst the low bush. As soon as disturbed, 

 they made for the rocky sides of the range in a series of short 

 flights, rising quickly, often with a clapping of wings, which 

 were beaten very rapidly at first to attain an elevation of about 

 twenty feet, when the wings are spread out, slightly drooping 

 at the tips ; in this position they are kept rigid till the bird' 

 floats in a most graceful manner to the ground. As soon as the 

 bird alights upon its feet it runs very rapidly over the ground, 

 with crest erect, and should it find it is being followed it will 

 again rise upon the wing and repeat the performance till the 

 granite rocks are reached, where the bird harmonizes so with 

 its surroundings that it is soon lost to sight. When the pigeon 

 -alights upon the rocks it runs very rapidly, bobbing its head 

 up and down, causing the graceful plume upon the head to 

 wave in a very pleasing manner. The eggs, which are two in 

 number, are laid on the bare sand, and formed round, 

 somewhat to the shape of the bird's body. The situation 

 selected is generally under a low bush. One day my assistant 

 •came upon a broody bird, and Mdien several yards off the bird 

 ran out to meet him, with feather fluffed out in a great rage, 

 following the intruder until he was some distance from the 

 nest. Strange to say, this proved to be a male bird. The 

 roosting-place is upon the ground, under the leeside of a low 

 bush, several squatting close together. From the quantity of 



