88 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes .—Also called Rock-pigeon. Usually in pairs or small flocks, 
frequenting sandstone country. As a rule it is rather a shy bird, difficult 
to flush, relying on its protective coloration to render it inconspicuous. If 
flushed, it rises with a whirr, but only flies a short distance, and usually 
alights on a bare rock. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, 
procured on the ground. 
Nest .—A slight hollow about 2 inches in depth, scooped in the ground 
near a small tuft of spinifex or stone; lined with soft dead grass. 
Eggs —Usually two, cream-colour or creamy-white. Breeding- 
season: eggs have been taken in July and October. 
7. Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis Collett 
ru-fi-pen-nis —L., rufus, red; L., penna, feather. 
Distribution .—Arnhem Land (Northern Territory). 
Notes .—Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting the stony parts 
of the sandstone hills. It is a shy bird, hiding among the rocks, the 
colours of which harmonize perfectly with its plumage. Food: seeds of 
grasses and herbaceous plants. 
Nest .—Not described. 
Eggs .—Not described. 
8. Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Temminck 
O'-cy-phaps Gk, ( okus) f swift; Gk, phaps, pigeon: loph-o-tes— Gk, 
lophotes, crested. 
Distribution .—Australia (except the north-western portion). 
Notes .—Also called Top-knot Pigeon and Crested Bronze-wing. 
Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting chiefly the inland districts. Its 
favourite haunts are scrubs bordering waterways or about dams. Its 
night is rapid, accompanied with a loud whirring noise of the wings. Food: 
seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, procured on the ground. 
Nest. A frail platform composed of twigs laid crosswise; usually 
placed m a bushy horizontal branch, at heights up to 20 feet from the 
ground. 
Eggs. Usually two, pure white, 
thioughout the year, but chiefly during the 
Breeding-season : practically 
spring and summer months. 
9. Squatter Pigeon Geophaps scripta Temminck 
Gk ' earth i Gk, phaps, pigeon: scrip’-ta —L., scriptus, 
New^Sou t h ( Wales. EaStern Northern Territory, Queensland, and western 
f r em^nt.fn'~v 1S fl° Partrid £ e Bronze-wing. Usually in small flocks, 
the flnr1rL llefl ui he ? pei ? c ° u ! ltr y of the inland districts. When flushed, 
scaftprino- tn elT 1 ^ *° ud w ^ lrr ^ n g n oise of the wings, the individuals 
tt nng to seek cover among the grass. Its flesh is excellent eating, and 
