THE CROWNED PIGEON 



{Goura coronata.) 



The order of Pigeons is one of the 

 most interesting of all the bird groups. 

 It has been called, "The order of beau- 

 tiful birds." Its technical name Colum- 

 bae is from the Latin word Columba, 

 meaning dove. There are about three 

 hundred known species of Pigeons and 

 Doves. Of this number only tw^elve 

 species are known to frequent North 

 America though about one hundred are 

 known to frequent the American Con- 

 tinent. The larger number of these 

 birds are excellent fliers and are known 

 to traverse long distances in a very short 

 time. They are really two classes of 

 Pigeons as regards the nature of their 

 habitat. Some species live only in trees, 

 while others are only terrestrial. While 

 nearly all the species are inclined to 

 form flocks after the breeding season is 

 closed, they do not all nest in colonies, 

 for some of the species are only known 

 to nest in isolated pairs. 



The Crowned Pigeons, of which there 

 are about six known species, are the liv- 

 ing giants of the order. They are given 

 their common name because their heads 

 are adorned with an erect, more or less 

 fan-like crest. In their distribution 



they are confined to Australia, New 

 Guinea and adjacent islands. It is to 

 be regretted that but little regarding 

 the wild habits of these birds has been 

 recorded. It is known, however, that 

 they spend a large part of their time 

 upon the ground, searching for their 

 food of fallen fruits and seeds. If fright- 

 ened, they fly to the lower branches of 

 trees, where they also roost at night. 

 The nest of the Crowned Pigeon is said 

 to be a loosely constructed structure of 

 woven twigs placed upon the branches 

 of trees. It is known that the male as- 

 sists his mate not only in the building of 

 their nest, but also in the duties of in- 

 cubation. The eggs are never left un- 

 covered except but for a moment, dur- 

 ing which time the parent birds are ex- 

 changing places. 



The Crowned Pigeons have been im- 

 ported quite frequently into the zoologi- 

 cal gardens of Europe and to some ex- 

 tent into those of the United States. 

 They have mated and nested also in 

 captivity, but it is said that no young 

 have ever been raised. The bird of our 

 illustration is one which died while in 

 captivity. 



A LADffiS' SLIPPER 



Between the green leaves, it is hanging yet! 

 — A fairy slipper of golden hue, 

 With fluttering ribbons and jewels of dew. 



That the Elf-Maid dropt in her pirouette. 



— Ella F. Mosby. 



26 



