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 herb¬ 
aceous plants, and native fruits and berries, procured mostly on the 
ground. 
Nest. —A frail structure of thin twgis, 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., 
pluma, 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-ii-gin'-e-a —L., ferruginous, 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 rock}'- 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 herb¬ 
aceous 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, 
Pct-ro-phass'-a—Gk, petros, rock; Gk, phassa, pigeon: al-bi-pen’-nis- L., 
albus, white; L., penna, feather. 
Distribution. —From Kimberley (north-western Australia) to western 
Northern Territory. 
