THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST. 
to the rapid growth of the squabs, is no 
longer aide to protect them from the 
cold; henee 1 have found them dead in 
the morning on more than one occasion, 
t have an idea that by removing the 
young ones to the house during the 
night, when a sudden fall of temperature 
takes plaee.these disastrous results might 
he averted. 'Besides these two varieties. 
I have many others, including the brush 
bronzeswing (Pimps elegans), which is now 
almost unobtainable,and which is thought 
t>v English avieulturists much handsomer 
than the commoner variety, the Wo’nga- 
Wonga. tdeucosa lvia picata) o.f New 
South Wales, well known for its size 
and i\i being the possessor of white flesh; 
the partridge bmnzehving (Gcophaps 
scripta), commonly called the squatter— 
the only remaining white-flesh variety, 
and considered by Gould the most deli¬ 
cious of all pigeons; the iplumod 1 ground 
dove (Geofh.rps plumifera), the latter one 
of the most attractive of birds; troth of 
tfiese breed upon the ground, and 
are believed to l»e a connecting link 
between the partridge and the pigeon; 
the young leaves the nest, if not as early 
a- quail, much earlier than pigeons do; 
tlie little green pigeon (Chaleopliaps chrv- 
socblora), of New South Wales, a charm¬ 
ing bird of small size, with bright green 
wings and vinaeeons breast, also the 
Java necklace and white Barbara - doves. 
Both these varieties have bred with me, 
and T hop' to acclimatise the former, 
for it is evidently hardy, is now very 
common about the suburbs of Sydney .and 
is constantly to lie heard cooing from 
tile pine trees. The bird may also he 
seen about the lawns, or often feeding 
with the sparrows from any seed-box 
that is near at hand. I had th? imis- 
fattune to lose .a pair of crowned New 
Guinea pigeons (Gotira iDWlliertisi), cele¬ 
brated' hath for size and beauty. This 
pigeon is of a light slate colour, with 
rich maroon breast. Otiaer distinguishing 
features are bright red eyes and a large 
tan-shaped crest.’ It is believed in New 
Guinea that in capitvity they lose all 
pride in this remarkable adornment, hut 
such is not the ease, as T frequently no¬ 
ticed that when ,sitting on the ground 
they found occupation in dressing with 
the beak the crest of each other. The 
finer of the two fell a victim to 
the had temper of a silver pheasant, 
tier companion, always a delicate bird, 
died from natural causes. I have never 
ceased to grieve over my loss, as under 
present conditions there is little chance 
of having them replaced. The Goveun- 
rnent of British New Guinea (its now a 
protective policy with regard to these 
birds, and will not allow them to lie ex¬ 
ported. I understand tint the only 
chance would be To try for them in Ger¬ 
man New Guinea. In thinking over the 
merits of these different varieties there 
is none I think ,so charming to keep, 
nor more worthy of our admiration in 
many ways, than our common bronze¬ 
wing. It is not necessary 'to consider the 
ways of the ants only to find wisdom; 
we can obtain it, and many other lessons, 
by making ourselves familiar with tlio 
habits and disposition of these birds. 
The cock especially is worthy of notice; 
.as soon as we hear him coo-ing to at¬ 
tract the attention of his mate we know 
that nesting operations, are about to 
begin, and by watching .we soon see him 
flying from place to (dace in search of a 
good foundation to build upon. As soon 
a tills important matter is settled, and 
although the nest at ifimst is composed 
of a few twigs or small sticks only, each 
one is carefully tested before being .taken 
up, and 1 have often been surprised to 
see how many have been rejected aa 
unsuitable. During incubation, and after¬ 
wards, I have often seen them adding 
fresh material, a.- if to enhance the com¬ 
fort and security of the abode. Docs not 
ali This show a great amount of intelli¬ 
gence and reasoning power? Beyond this 
the birds "ate brave in defence of 
tile eggs and young, both before and 
after hatching. Although I have often 
tried, I have never succeeded in driving 
thou from the nest — either parent would 
flip my hand with his or her wing, and 
with flashing eye utter a note of disap¬ 
proval with all .the voice it could com¬ 
mand. T always turned' away vanquished, 
hut with increased admiration of their 
bravery. When feeding with the phea¬ 
sants I have noticed them attempt to 
shrike the latter with their wings, which 
shows them to he possessed of a good', 
a mount of courage. At the present .time- 
m effort is being made by the Avicul¬ 
ture! Society of England to introduce 
boTa varieties of these pigeons into the 
public parks about 'London, hut I doubt 
if our iTonze-wing will lend itself to ac¬ 
climatisation in a colder climate than 
this. Already, however, the crested' 
variety of New South Wales is .at liberty 
in the grounds of Woburn Abbey, the 
iiesmenee of the Duchess of Bedford, one 
of t(j.' members of the Australian Orni¬ 
thological Union. 
As autumn approaches many scarlet- 
breasted robins (Pctroeca Leggii) make 
their way from the bush into the gardens 
of Hobart. This year the first were seen 
on ti>e 11th Martin, and they are now 
fairly common. 
( 12 ) 
