20 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
11. Tooth-billed Bower-bird Scenopoeetes dentirostris Ramsay 
Sceri-o-pce-e -tes — Gk, scenos, tent; Gk, poietes, maker: dent-i-ros -tris 
— L., dens, tooth; L., rostrum , bill. 
Distribution. — Northern Queensland (Bellenden Ker Range district). 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting the big scrubs 
and brushes chiefly of the mountain ranges. It is often seen in the com- 
pany of the Spotted Cat-bird, feeding in native fruit and berry-bearing 
trees. This species makes a playground, or what some observers call a 
“circus-ring” — a cleared space on the ground, about 3 to 5 feet in diameter, 
U]x>n which the birds place fresh leaves, usually from one particular kind 
of tree. As the leaves wither they are removed and fresh ones added. 
The birds assemble at these playgrounds to display and gambol. Usually 
old-established playgrounds are encircled by a great accumulation of the 
discarded leaves. It is said to be one of the finest of our bird mimics. 
Food: native fruits and berries; also insects, chiefly beetles. 
Nest. — A frail, open, shallow structure, composed of thin dry sticks; 
lined with thin dry twigs. Usually placed in a thick mass of foliage or 
clump of vines in a tree, at heights up to 80 feet from the ground. 
Eggs. — Usually two, rich creamy-brown. Breeding-season: October 
to December. 
12. Top-knot Pigeon Lopholaimus antarcticus Shaw 
Loph'-o-lalnir-iis — Gk, lophos, crest; Gk, laimos, throat: an-tarc-tic-us — 
L., antarcticus, southern 
Distribution . — Eastern Australia; accidental to Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called Flock-pigeon. Usually in flocks, frequenting the 
big scrubs and brushes. It is nomadic in habits, its movements coinciding 
with the ripening of different native fruits and berries and the seeds of 
the bangalow and cabbage-tree palms. Its flesh is excellent eating, and, 
until protected, great numbers of these birds were shot. During the 
autumn and winter months it congregates in immense flocks, which travel 
great distances seeking food ; when not feeding in the scrub, it usually 
keeps to the topmost branches of the highest trees. 
Nest . — A platform of fairly stout twigs, usually placed in the thin 
branches of a tall tree, at heights up to 70 feet from the ground. She- 
oaks and turpentine-trees are favourite nesting-trees. 
Egg. — Pearly white. Breeding-season: October to December. 
13. Wompoo Pigeon Megaloprepia magnified Temminck 
Meg'-al-o-prep’-i-a — Gk, megaloprepes, magnificent : mag-nif-i-ca — L., 
magni ficus , magnificent. 
Distribution. — Eastern Australia, as far south as Wollongong (New 
South Wales) ; also occurs in the Molucca Islands and New Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Magnificent Fruit-pigeon, Purple-breasted 
Pigeon, Plum-breasted Pigeon, and Bubbly Mary. Usually in pairs or 
small flocks, frequenting the big scrubs and brushes, chiefly of the coastal 
