88 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Also called Rock-pigeon. Usually in pairs or small flocks, 
frequenting sandstone country. As a rule it is rather a shy bird, difficult 
to flush, relying on its protective coloration to render it inconspicuous. If 
flushed, it rises with a whirr, but only flies a short distance, and usually 
alights on a bare rock. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, 
procured on the ground. 
Nest. — A slight hollow about 2 inches in depth, scooped in the ground 
near a small tuft of spinifex or stone; lined with soft dead grass. 
Eggs , — Usually two, cream-colour or creamy-white. Breeding- 
season : eggs have been taken in July and October. 
7- Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis Collett 
ru-fi-peri-nis — L., rufus, red; L., penna, feather. 
Distribution. — Arnhem Land (Northern Territory). 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting the stony parts 
of the sandstone hills. It is a shy bird, hiding among the rocks, the 
colours of which harmonize perfectly with its plumage. Food: seeds of 
grasses and herbaceous plants. 
Nest . — Not described. 
Eggs. — Not described. 
8. Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Temminck 
O f -cy-phaps — Gk, ocys (okus), swift; Gk, phaps, pigeon: loph-o-tes — Gk, 
lophotes , crested. 
Distribution. — Australia (except the north-western portion). 
Notes. — Also called Top-knot Pigeon and Crested Bronze-wing. 
Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting chiefly the inland districts. Its 
favourite haunts are scrubs bordering waterways or about dams. Its 
flight is rapid, accompanied with a loud whirring noise of the wings. Food : 
seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, procured on the ground. 
Nest . — A frail platform composed of twigs laid crosswise; usually 
placed in a bushy horizontal branch, at heights up to 20 feet from the 
ground. 
Eggs . — Usually two, pure white. Breeding-season: practically 
throughout the year, but chiefly during the spring and summer months. 
9- Squatter Pigeon Geophaps scripta Temminck 
Ge-o-phaps — Gk, ge } earth; Gk, phaps , pigeon: scrip' -ta — L., scriptus , 
written. 
Distribution . — Eastern Northern Territory, Queensland, and western 
New South Wales. 
Notes. — Also called Partridge Bronze-wing. Usually in small flocks, 
frequenting chiefly the open country of the inland districts. When flushed, 
the flock rises with a loud whirring noise of the wings, the individuals 
scattering to seek cover among the grass. Its flesh is excellent eating, and 
