PLATE V. 
L AMPROTRE RON 81 PER HA {Bonaparte). 
SUP EBB FBTJIT-PIGEON. Genus: Lamprotreron. 
FEW birds can compare with the appropriately named " Superb " Eruit-Pigeon in variety and brilliancy of 
colouring, well illustrating in its varied tints the true harmony that is to be found in a well-balanced contrast 
of colours. 
Though seldom met with upon the mainland — to which it would appear to be attracted simply by the 
great variety of fruits which the rich scrub of the northern coast-line affords — it is by no means uncommon on 
the many adjacent islands. 
For the short time that it is to be found upon the mainland it takes up its residence in the densest and 
least accessible parts of the thickest scrub, out of the reach of all but the most pertinacious enthusiast. Here, 
however, amidst all the countless beauties of its sylvan retreat, must it be seen, as it disports itself among the 
leafy branches or sits preening its feathers in the glinting sunlight, to enable one to fully realize with what 
matchless grace and resplendent elegance its every movement is endowed. 
In the male bird the croAvn of the head and upper part of the back are crimson ; back and sides, green, 
feathers tipped with bronze, with black centres ; wings, green and brown ; sides of the head and throat, pearly 
grey ; breast, russet, with dark grey band across ; belly, grey, merging through green into olive ; upper part of 
tail, green ; end feathers, white tipped with green. 
The hen lacks much of the resplendent gorgeousness of the male bird, the prevailing tints of her 
colouring being yellowish-green, with greenish-grey breast; abdomen, pale yellow, lacking the bands which 
distinguish the male, but possessing similarly marked primary and secondary wing feathers. 
The illustration is three-quarter life-size. 
CHALCOPHAPS CHRYSOCHLORA (Gould). 
LITTLE GBEEN PIGEON. Genus : Chalcophaps. 
ONE of the prettiest and, from its unobtrusive habits, one of the least known of the Australian birds, the Little 
Green Pigeon is by no means uncommon in the more thickly wooded portions of New South "Wales, especially 
those parts in proximity to the coast. It has been noticed as far north as the borders of Queensland, and 
though sparingly scattered, as compared with some birds such as the Grass Parrakeets (Pezoporus formosus), its 
rarity is attributable to its secretive nature rather than to the more common cause — indiscriminate destruction. 
Like the Green Parrakeet, upon any appearance of intrusion or danger, its seeks cover in the 
grass, where it will continue perfectly quiet in hiding until either the seeming danger is past or it can no longer 
elude discovery. In the latter case it will rise and rapidly fly a short distance through the surrounding scrub, 
and again settle in the grass if opportunity offers or necessity demands, and by these tactics, aided materially by the 
lush and tangled undergrowth of myrtaceous plants, bracken, young gum trees, epacrids, climbing plants of many 
kinds, prickly acacias, etc., everywhere common to the scrub of New South Wales, it has little difficulty in 
successfully evading man's pursuit. Such coverts it is very rarely known to leave, and so strictly does it adhere 
to them, that it is scarcely a matter for surprise that the bird should remain so little known generally. 
The sexual difference in the external appearance of the mature birds is unusually remarkable. 
In the male bird the crown and sides of head are russet-grey ; back of neck, olive ; upper part of body, 
bronze-grey, with three well defined pearf-grey bands across lower half ; tail feathers, darker bronze-grey ; 
primary and secondary wing feathers, bright green, developing into deep olive, each feather margined with 
lustrous yellow ; tertiaries, warm brown ; breast, chin, and under surface, russet ; bill, red ; legs and feet, olive. 
In the female the head, neck, and all the under body are a warm brown ; breast, olive-tinted ; tail, rich 
brown, but the side feathers grey. Throughout, the whole of the colouring is much less brilliant than in the male. 
The illustration is of the male bird and three-quarter life-size. 
