GROUND-FEEDING PIGEONS AND DOVES 
89 
because of this great numbers were destroyed; it is now considered a 
rare species. Its name, “Squatter/* is due to its habit of crouching down 
to hide itself when approached. Food : seeds of grasses and herbaceous 
plants, procured on the ground. 
Nest. — A shallow depression, scooped in the ground ; lined, more or 
less, with dead, soft grass ; mostly sheltered by a tuft of grass or low bush. 
Eggs. — Usually two, creamy-white. Breeding-season : regularly Sep- 
tember to January, though this species breeds at almost any period of 
the year. 
10. Partridge Pigeon Geophaps smiths Jardine and Selby 
smithi — Sir James E. Smith (1759-1828), botanist, president and founder 
of the Linnean Society, London. 
Distribution. — From Kimberley (north-western Australia) to the 
Gulf country (north-western Queensland). 
Notes. — Also called Smith’s Partridge Bronze-wing, Naked-eyed 
Partridge Pigeon, and Bare-eyed Partridge Pigeon. Usually in small 
flocks, its favourite haunts being open country adjacent to water. Very 
similar in habits to the Squatter Pigeon. It is said to be nomadic. Food : 
seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. 
Nest. — A shallow depression in the ground, lined with soft dead 
grasses, and often sheltered by a tuft of grass or a low bush. 
Eggs. — Usually two, pale creamy-white. Breeding-season: normally 
August to October. 
11. Flock Pigeon Histrsophaps histrionica Gould 
His'-tri-o-phaps — L., histrio , actor; Gk, phaps, pigeon: his -tri-d-nic-a — 
L., histrionica , art of acting. 
Distribution. — Northern Australia and the inland portion of New 
South Wales and northern South Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Harlequin Bronze-wing. Usually in flocks, fre- 
quenting open country and plains. It is nomadic in habits, its movements 
being regulated by seasonal conditions and food-supply. At one time this 
Pigeon was observed in countless numbers, chiefly on the Mitchell grass 
plains, but it is rarely seen now. Its flesh is excellent eating, numbers 
being killed when visiting the drinking-pools at dusk. When flushed, the 
flocks rise with a loud whirring noise, and after circling several times in 
the air, alight again. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, pro- 
cured on the ground. The female differs from the male in being much 
duller in coloration, having only faint indications of the markings which 
adorn the male. 
Nest. — On the bare ground, in the shelter of a tussock or low bush. 
Eggs. — Usually two, pale creamy-white. Breeding-season : at almost 
any period of the year if the seasonal conditions are suitable. 
