GROUND-FEEDING PIGEONS AND DOVES 
87 
Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting the scrubs bordering rivers, 
creeks, swamps, and mangroves. Its call is rather a loud “Coo-coo”, 
resembling “Hollyhock”, uttered at long intervals. Food: seeds of 
grasses and herbaceous plants, and native fruits and berries, procured 
mostly on the ground. 
nest. A frail structure of thin twigs, portions of climbing plants, 
and sometimes grass. Frequently placed in a low bush or tree in the 
scrub. 
eggs. Usually two, pure white. Breeding-season: August to March. 
4. Plumed Pigeon Lophophaps plumifera Gould 
Loph-o-phaps— Gk, lopho, crest; Gk, phaps, pigeon: plu-mif'-er-a— L., 
plutna , feather; L., fero, I bear. 
distribution. Northern Australia and the interior of southern 
Australia. 
notes. Also called Plumed Bronze-wing and Spinifex Pigeon. 
Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting open stony country studded with 
low, scrubby bushes and spinifex. It is remarkably tame and difficult to 
flush from the ground. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, 
procured on the ground. 
nest. A slight depression in the ground sheltered by a low bush or 
clump of spinifex. 
eggs. Usually two, pale creamy-white. Breeding-season: after rains, 
throughout the year. 
5. Red-plumed Pigeon Lophophaps ferruginea Gould 
ferr-it-gin'-e-a— L., ferrugineus , rust-coloured. 
distribution. North-western Australia, from Shark Bay to west 
Kimberley. 
notes. Also called Rust-coloured Bronze-wing. Usually in pairs or 
small flocks, frequenting open rocky country, studded with low bushes 
and spinifex, adjacent to water. Its plumage harmonizes wonderfully 
with its surroundings; when flushed, it rises with a loud whirr and 
flies short distances. Call-note, a loud “Coo”. Food: seeds of grasses 
and herbaceous plants, procured on the ground. 
nest. A slight, grass-lined depression in the ground, sheltered by a 
low bush or clump of spinifex. 
eggs. Usually two, pale creamy-white. Breeding-season: no fixed 
period; breeds after rains. 
6. White-quilled Rock-pigeon Petrophassa albipennis Gould 
Pet-ro-phass'-a—G k, petros , rock; Gk, phassa t pigeon: al-bi-pen'-nis— L., 
albus , white; L., penna, feather. 
distribution. From Kimberley (north-western Australia) to 
western Northern Territory. 
