Genus L e u c o sa u c ia , Gould.
Generic characters.
Bill lengthened, almost cylindrical, fleshy for two-thirds o f its length from the base; nostrils lateral and covered
by an oval swollen operculum; wings very short and concave; tail sh o rt; tarsi lengthened and defended in front by
large distinct scuta; toes rather short, hind-toe situated high upon the tarsus.
A genus proposed by me for the reception of the Wonga-Wonga Pigeon of the Australian Brushes, a bird
having many peculiar habits, but which, being mainly terrestrial, lead it to frequent the ground in the midst of the
dense forests, where it moves about in pairs, feeding upon seeds and berries. Its flesh being remarkably white and
extremely delicate, it is one of the best birds for the table inhabiting Australia, or indeed any other country.
The colour of the flesh suggested the generic term I have assigned to it.
425. Leucosarcia picata . Vol. V. PI. 63.
Genus P h a p s , Selby.
The members of this genus, generally known by the name of Bronze-wings, form an excellent viand for the
settlers, and one of the greatest boons bestowed upon the explorer, since they not only furnish him with a supply
of nutritious food, but direct him by their straight and arrow-like evening flight to the situations where he may
find water, that element without which man cannot exist.
426. Phaps chalcoptera.
Peristera chalcoptera . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. V. PI. 64.
427. Phaps elegans.
Peristera elegans . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vq1..V- PI. 65.
428. Phaps histrionica.
Peristera histrionica, Gould . . . . . . . . . . . Yol. V. PI. 66.
“ This beautiful pigeon,” says Captain Sturt, “ is an inhabitant of the interior. I t lays its eggs in February^
depositing them under any low bush in the middle of the open plains. In the end of March and the beginning of
April they collect in large flocks and live on the seed of the rice-grass, which the natives also collect for food.
During the short period this harvest lasts the flavour of this pigeon is most delicious, but a t other times it is indifferent.
I t flies to water at sunset, but like the Bronze-wing only wets the bill. I t is astonishing indeed that so
small a quantity as a bare mouthful should be sufficient to quench its thirst in the burning deserts it inhabits. I t
left us in the beginning of May, and I think migrated to the N.E., for the further we went to the westward the
fewer did we see of it.”
Mr. Gilbert observed this species in vast flocks on the plains in latitude 19° S. •
Genus G e o p h a p s , Gould.
Generic characters. .
Bill very short and robust; eyes surrounded with a bare skin; wings very short and rounded; tertiaries long,
and broad at their ends; tarsi moderately long; toes shorter than the tarsus, the inner toe rather the longest.
The members of this genus are peculiar to Australia; are more terrestrial in their habits than any other form of
pigeons inhabiting that country; incubate on the ground; squat like the partridges when their haunts are intruded
upon; inhabit the plains and open downs; have white pectoral muscles; are excellent food for m an; run with great
rapidity; fly swiftly for short distances; and when disturbed either perch on the larger branches, on which they
squat lengthwise, or descend to the ground and run off after the manner of the true Gallinacece.
429. Geophaps scripta . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. V. PI. 67.
430. Geophaps Smithii Vol. V. PI. 68.
431. Geophaps plumifefa, Gould . . . . . . . . . . Vol. V. PI. 69.
“ Lat. 17° 30', March 6. I was fortunate enough to kill for the first time Geophaps phmifera, a species
hitherto only known from a single specimen sent home by Mr. Bynoe of H.M.S. Beagle. The irides are bright
orange, the naked skin before and surrounding the eyes bright crimson; the bill dark greenish g rey ; the scales of
the legs and toes greenish grey; skin between the scales light ashy grey. Its flight and actions on the ground are
precisely similar to those of the other species of the genus. I only saw the specimen I killed, but afterwards
learned that one of my companions had seen a flock rise precisely like Geophaps scripta.”—Gilbert’s Journal.
“ I t was on the return of my party from the eastern extremity of Cooper’s Creek,” says Captain Sturt, “ that
we first saw and procured specimens of this beautiful little bird. Its locality was entirely confined to about thirty
miles along the banks of the creek in question; it was generally perched on some rock fully exposed to the sun’s
rays, and evidently taking a pleasure in basking in the tremendous heat. I t was very wild and took wing on
hearing the least noise, but its flight was short and rapid. In the afternoon this little pigeon was seen running in
the grass on the creek side, and could hardly be distinguished from a quail. I t never perched on the trees; when
it dropped after rising from the ground, it could seldom be flushed again, but ran with such speed through the
grass as to elude our search.”
Genus O c y p h a p s , Gould.
Generic characters.
Head furnished with a lengthened occipital crest; wings rather short, the third primary gradually narrowed
to a point; tail rather long and much rounded; tarsi as long as the middle toe; the inner toe shorter than the
outer.
A genus consisting of a single species whose natural habitat is the basin of the interior of Australia, over the
vast expanse of which its long pointed wings enable it to pass a t pleasure from one district to another whenever
a scarcity of food prompts it so to do : although mainly terrestrial in its habits, it is more frequently seen on the
trees than the members of the genus Phaps; its food consists of small seeds and berries.
432. Ocyphaps Lophotes Vol. V. PI. 70
Genus P e t r o p h a s s a , Gould.
Generic characters.
As in Ocyphaps, but with the wings shorter, more rounded and destitute of the bronzy lu stre ; and with a
more rounded tail.
So little is known respecting the single species of this Australian genus that I am unable to say more than
that it inhabits rocky situations near the sea-coast.
433. Petrophassa albipennis, G o u l d .................................................................................................y 0j y pj yj
Genus G e o p e l ia , Swains.
A form of Ground Doves very generally distributed over the Indian Islands and Australia, and of which three
or four species are peculiar to the latter country ; grassy hills, flats and extensive plains are the situations these
birds affect, consequently in Australia they are almost exclusively confined to the interior; they pass over the
ground in a quiet and peaceful manner; and when disturbed fly to some neighbouring tree, descend again almost
immediately and search about for the minute seeds of annuals and other plants, upon which they principally
subsist.
434. Geopelia humeralis .
Vol. V. PI. 72.
435. Geopelia tranquilla, Gould
Vol. V. PI. 73.
436. Geopelia placida, Gould.