THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fourth Series. —Vol. X.—No. 7 .—All rights reserved . JULY, 1932.



SCLATER’S CROWNED PIGEON

(i GOURA CRIST AT A SCLATERI)


By T. H. Newman, E.Z.S.


The members of this family of Pigeons are the largest existing

representatives of the order, and are characterized by the erect fan-

shaped crest which adorns the head as well as by their large size,

while they are further distinguished by having the metatarsus covered

all over with small six-sided scales ; there are sixteen feathers in the

tail.


About seven forms are known which are placed in two species.

They inhabit New Guinea and some of the neighbouring islands.

Little has been recorded about their habits, but they spend most of

their time on the ground, frequently on the banks of rivers, and feed

on berries and small aquatic creatures. They nest in trees, laying one

large white egg. It may be of interest to quote the description of

probably the first Englishman to meet with the Crowned Pigeon.

Dampier, in the year 1699, wrote : “ One of my men killed a stately

land-fowl, as big as the largest dunghill-cock. It was of a sky-colour ;

only in the middle of the wings was a white spot, about which were

some reddish spots. On the crown it had a large bunch of long feathers,

which appeared very pretty. His bill was like a Pidgeon’s. His crop

was full of small berries. It lays an egg as big as a large hen’s egg.

for our men climbed the tree where it nested and brought off one egg.”



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