THE TOP-KNOT PIGEON 25 



These birds come down the coast in countless thousands 

 early in November, apparently from New Guinea and adjacent 

 islands, and mostly nest on the scrub-covered islands of the 

 Great Barrier Eeef , but a few also on the mainland. On the 

 Barnard Islands, for instance, we watched them returning from 

 the mainland, where they had been feeding, to roost. There 

 was a continuous flight of birds for about one hour and a half. 

 When the steamer's whistle was blown, the birds rose into the 

 air off the island like a white cloud. When they settled again, 

 the trees seemed covered with large white flowers. The island 

 was full of pigeons. The cooing of so many birds was as one 

 continuous sound. They built anywhere, high up in the trees, 

 low down on the vines, and occasionally on the rocks or birds- 

 nest ferns on the ground. 



The Top-knot Pigeon. 



Lopholcemus antarcticus. 



Eastern Australia coastal districts, from Cape York to Victoria. 



General plumage grey, darker above than below; greyish-brown crest; 

 from the eye to the occiput a black line meeting its fellow behind, and 

 continued for a short distance down back of neck; feathers of neck and 

 breast hackled; tail black, with grey base and crossed by band of grey 

 near the end. Bill rose-red; feet purplish red; iris orange. Length 15 

 inches, wing 10.4, tail 6, bill 0.6, tarsus 1.25. These birds live mostly in 

 the thick scrub-covered country. 



Nest a platform of twigs usually built high up in 

 a forest tree or at the top of a tall tree-fern, growing well up 

 on the ridges of the hills. The single egg is white and measures 

 1.70 X 1.18 inch. 



Family Columbidce. 



Tarsus shorter than the middle toe. Soles not very broad, 

 hind toe with the skin prominently expanded on the sides. Tail 

 with twelve feathers. Tree Pigeons. 



Genus Golumba. — Tail not longer than the wings. Tarsus 

 only feathered in the upper part. 



Genus Macropygia. — Tail broad, longer than the wings. 



