BIRDS OF THE BRUSHES AND BIG SCRUBS 
i7 
species, usually arriving in New South Wales during October and Novem- 
ber. Except when feeding, it is a difficult bird to locate in the scrub, its 
plumage harmonizing wonderfully with the leaves of the trees it frequents. 
The call-note, which is comparatively loud for a small bird, is a single 
“Coo’ repeated about a dozen times. It is generally found feeding 
in fig or other fruit and berry-bearing trees. 
Nest. — A scanty platform, about 5 or 6 inches in diameter, com- 
posed of twigs. Generally placed high up from the ground in the leafy 
branches of a scrub tree, or in a mangrove tree. Usually the egg can be 
easily seen from beneath the nest. 
Egg. — Pure white. Breeding-season: October to February. 
4. Green-winged Pigeon Chalcophaps chrysochlora Wagler 
ChaT-co-phaps— Gk, chalcos, bronze; Gk, phaps, pigeon: chrys-o-chldr-a 
— Gk, chrysos , golden ; Gk, chloros, yellow-green. 
Distribution . — Northern Territory and eastern Australia; also occurs 
in Timor, the Molucca Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and Lord 
Howe Island. 
Notes. — Also called Little Green Pigeon. Usually in pairs, frequent- 
ing the brushes and big scrubs of the coastal districts. It is mainly terres- 
trial in habits, and is remarkably fearless. When flushed, it rises with 
a whirring sound, flies rapidly through the scrub for a short distance, 
and then drops suddenly to the ground. Its call-note is a monotonous 
“Coo-coo” uttered throughout the day. Food: native fruits, berries, and 
seeds. 
Nest.— A scanty and almost flat structure, composed of twigs. Usually 
placed at the junction of several leafy horizontal branches, on a mass of 
vines, or on top of a fern growing on a tree, at heights up to 15 feet 
from the ground. 
Eggs . — Two, pale cream-colour. Breeding-season: October to 
January. 
5. Yellow Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus King 
Or-i-dl'-us — N.L., from O. Fr. orxol and L. aureolus , golden; aurum, 
gold : flav-o-cinc'-tus — L., flaws, yellow ; L., cinctus, banded. 
Distribution. — Tropical northern Australia. 
Notes. — Common in the scrubs and mangroves, where its pleasant, 
liquid, bubbling notes are heard from daybreak until sunset. Similar in 
habits to the Olive-backed Oriole. Food : native fruits and berries. 
Nest. — A compact, open, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips 
of soft bark and vine tendrils; lined with twigs and rootlets. Usually 
placed in the outer branches of a high tree, up to 50 feet from the ground. 
Eggs. — Two, pale cream colour, boldly spotted and blotched with 
blackish-brown and pale slate markings, particularly at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: September to December. 
