BIRDS OF THE BRUSHES AND BIG SCRUBS 
1 7 
species, usually arriving Jn New South Wales during October and Novem¬ 
ber. Except when feeding, it is a difficult bird to locate in the scrub, its 
plumage harmonizing wonderfully with the leaves of the trees it frequents. 
The call-note, which is comparatively loud for a small bird, is a single 
“Coo” repeated about a dozen times. It is generally found feeding 
in fig or other fruit and berry-bearing trees. 
Nest. —A scanty platform, about 5 or 6 inches in diameter, com¬ 
posed of twigs. Generally placed high up from the ground in the leafy 
branches of a scrub tree, or in a mangrove tree. Usually the egg can be 
easily seen from beneath the nest. 
Egg. —Pure white. Breeding-season: October to February. 
4. Green-winged Pigeon Chalcopliaps chrysochlora Wagler 
Chal'-co-phaps —Gk, chalcos, bronze; Gk, pimps, pigeon: chrys-o-chlor'-a 
—Gk, chrysos, golden; Gk, chloros, yellow-green. 
Distribution. —Northern Territory and eastern Australia; also occurs 
in Timor, the Molucca Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and Lord 
Howe Island. 
Notes. —Also called Little Green Pigeon. Usually in pairs, frequent¬ 
ing the brushes and big scrubs of the coastal districts. It is mainly terres¬ 
trial in habits, and is remarkably fearless. When flushed, it rises with 
a whirring sound, flies rapidly through the scrub for a short distance, 
and then drops suddenly to the ground. Its call-note is a monotonous 
“Coo-coo” uttered throughout the day. Food: native fruits, berries, and 
seeds. 
Nest. —A scanty and almost flat structure, composed of twigs. Usually 
placed at the junction of several leafy horizontal branches, on a mass of 
vines, or on top of a fern growing on a tree, at heights up to 15 feet 
from the ground. 
Eggs .—Two, pale cream-colour. Breeding-season: October to 
January. 
5. Yellow Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus King 
Or-i-ol-us N.L., from O. Fr. oriol and L., aurcolus, golden; auruin, 
gold: flav-o-cinc'-tus —L., flams, yellow; L., cinctus, banded. 
Distribution. —Tropical northern Australia. 
Notes.—- Common in the scrubs and mangroves, where its pleasant, 
liquid, bubbling notes are heard from daybreak until sunset. Similar in 
habits to the Olive-backed Oriole. Food: native fruits and berries. 
Nest. A compact, open, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips 
of soft bark and vine tendrils; lined with twigs and rootlets. Usually 
p aced in the outer branches of a high tree, up to SO feet from the ground. 
,, ^gs.—Tv/Q, pale cream colour, boldly spotted and blotched with 
blackish-brown and pale slate markings, particularly at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: September to December. 
