GROUND-FEEDING PIGEONS AND DOVES 
89 
excellent eating, and 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 smithi Jardine and Selby 
smitlii —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 Histriophaps histrionica Gould 
His'-tri-o-phaps—L,., histrio, actor; Gk, phaps, pigeon: his'-tri-o-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 move¬ 
ments 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, procured 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. 
