NATIVE BIRDS 193 
Pigeons were very plentiful in many localities where they 
are now but seldom seen. In certain places, however, they 
still occur in considerable numbers. 
In colour the bird is coppery purple on the back, with 
head, neck, and breast of coppery green. The abdomen is 
white, and the tail dark green. The feet are pink, and the 
round, bright eyes are crimson. 
The sharp bill arises from a soft swollen base, and ends 
in a hard tip. The feet end in four toes, three in front and 
one behind, all at the same level. The wings are broad and 
pointed, and the long tail is composed of twelve feathers. 
Fig. 118.—Nest of Wood Pigeon. 
The Pigeon’s nest is remarkably well constructed. The 
materials of the slight fabric, which appear at first to be 
rudely and carelessly placed together, are so nicely 
adjusted as to bear with perfect safety the weight of the 
heavy builders. In the slight depression of the platform 
the eggs or young lie undisturbed by the swaying caused 
by passing winds. There are usually two eggs, white and: 
almost round, and nearly two inches in length. The young 
are at first quite helpless and unable to feed themselves; the 
parents supply them with a milky fluid secreted by their 
crops. When newly hatched the young birds are covered 
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