274 COL0MBp^. 



PHAPS ELEGAFS, Teniminck. 

 Brusli Bronze-'wlng. 

 Gould, Sandhk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 463, p. 125. 



This bird was at one time found breeding rather freely in the 

 scrubs in the neighbourhood of Sydney, the nest is similar to 

 that of the preceding species P. chalcoptera. Eggs two in 

 number for a sitting, pure white. A set taken at Bondi on the 

 4th of August 1863, measure as follows : — length (A) 1-33 x 0-95 

 inch; (B) 1-4 x 0-95 inch. 



Dimensions of a set taken near Hobart, Tasmania, on the 15th 

 of April 1883 :— length (A) 1-28 x 0-97 inch ; (B) 1-33 x 0-99 inch. 



Like the preceding species this bird has no fixed breeding season 

 but nests containing eggs or young ones, are usually found during 

 August and the three following months. 



Hah. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Wide Bay District, 

 Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New ^outh Wales, 

 Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania, West and South- West 

 Australia. (RamsoA/.) 



I PHAPS HISTRIONICA, Gould. 



Harleqmn Bronze-'wiiig. 

 Gould, Sandbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 464, p. 127. 



"In some seasons this beautiful pigeon is to be found in countless 

 numbers on the vast plains of the interior of Australia ; its range 

 also extends to Port Darwin, and Derby in North-western 

 Australia, specimens having been procured both by Mr. E. J. 

 Cairn and the late Mr. T. H. Boyer-Bower during the latter 

 part of 1886. In the evening these birds arrive in large flocks 

 at the dams and. water tanks to drink, but at t^e slightest 

 indication of danger they take flight. This species is terrestrial 

 in its habits, and for the purpose of breeding generally resorts to 

 the shelter of a cotton bush, forming little or no nest it often lays 

 its eggs upon the bare ground. A pair of these birds have bred 

 B-a 



