PLATE X. 
PETROPHASSA ALEIPENNIS (Gould). 
WHITE-QUILLED ROCK PIGEON. 
rpHIS is a very singular species of Pigeon, found only in the most rugged and sterile districts of the north-west 
coast of the Continent. Its haunts are the sandstone cliffs of the ranges about the Victoria River. 
Leichhardt, in his explorations of the Arnheim Peninsula, found it there in great numbers, and, according to 
some authorities, it is popularly known as Leichhardt's Rock Pigeon, from the assumption that he was the first 
to meet with it. 
Its range extends from the north-west coast of Australia to the Tableland, where it has been seen 
roosting among the precipitous rocks of that sterile country. It is one of the few varieties of Rock Pigeon 
known within the tropics, and is proportionately interesting. Being strictly a ground feeder, the food of this 
Pigeon consists entirely of grass and other fallen seeds which it can find upon the ground ; and, under no 
circumstances, does it ever voluntarily rise upon the wing unless suddenly alarmed. 
Its nidification is very simple, consisting merely of a slight depression in some sandy, sheltered nook, 
where two eggs are dej>osited, and the hatching is accomplished by both birds equally, the male relieving the 
female. The young are unusually precocious, and require but a comparatively short time to become independent 
of parental care. 
The plumage of both birds is identical : back of head and forehead, light fawn, merging into grey ; 
cheeks and throat, white, flecked with fawn ; breast, deep fawn ; back and shoulders, deep fawn ; tail, deep fawn ; 
lesser wing coverts, grey; primaries, deep fawn; secondaries, white; wing-tips, fawn; bill, feet, and legs, 
brown. 
This Pigeon measures, approximately, eight inches from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. 
GEOPHAPS SCRIPTA CSwmnson). 
PARTRIDGE PRO NZE WING . Genus: Geophaps. 
rpHE members of this genus are peculiar to Australia, and in their habits are more terrestrial than any other 
Australian Pigeons. They also bear a strong resemblance, both in structure and habits, to the Partridge, 
running and rising like that bird, though immediately they alight on the bare branch of a tree the illusion 
ceases. 
The Partridge Bronzewing extends the range of its habitat over the greater portion of Queensland, the 
Clarence, Richmond, and Murray Rivers (districts of New South Wales), the Wimmera, Edward, and Murrary 
liivers (districts of Victoria), and the interior of South Australia. 
It congregates variously in pairs and small flocks of from six up to fifty, and inhabits the well-watered 
grassy plains, living on grass-seed and the seeds of the Thistle and Wattle {Acacia decurveus). 
The flight of this bird is very rapid, and accompanied by a loud "burring" noise of the wings. It also 
resembles the Quail in the mode of running rapidly along the ground, and seeking seclusion in some scanty 
herbage that offers any kind of shelter. Here it will remain motionless, crouched close to the ground, until 
almost trodden upon, and hence the origin of its soubriquet, the " Squatter Pigeon." This manner of defence 
no doubt served its purpose in hoodwinking voracious enemies at a time when it had no other than natural 
foes to contend with, but it scarcely meets the artifices of a progressive age, as I had the means of observing 
on one occasion. I was making a coach journey from Townsville to Charters Towers, and was accommodated 
with the box seat. As we drove along the coachman pointed out a Squatter Pigeon crouched down in a 
wheel rut before us, saying it would so lie without moving until the wheel passed over it. To illustrate his 
remark he immediately changed his course, that he might prove the truth of his statement. However, upon 
my remonstrances, he desisted from that means of destruction, and consoled himself by killing it with his whip. 
