The COMMON BRONZE-WING (_Phaps chalcoptera_) is brown on the mantle, deep
brown at the back of the head, and a rich deep red on the under side,
shading into grey on the belly; the brow and a line under the eyes and
on the throat are yellowish white; the sides of the throat are grey; the
feathers on the wing-covers adorned with oval copper-bronze patches, and
two or three of the secondary quills with glossy green spots; the centre
tail-feathers are brown, the rest deep grey. The eye is dark reddish
brown, the beak blackish grey, and the foot carmine-red. The female is
without the light streak upon her brow; her plumage is also greyer, and
has fewer bright metallic spots than that of her mate.
The Bronze-winged Pigeon is very generally distributed in all parts of
Australia; in some it would seem to be stationary, while in others it is
said to be migratory.
[Illustration: THE BRONZE-WINGED PIGEON (_Phaps chalcoptera_).]
"It is," says Mr. Gould, "a plump, heavy bird, weighing when in good
condition fully a pound, and is constantly eaten by every class of persons
resident in Australia. Its amazing powers of flight enable it to pass in
an incredibly short space of time over a great expanse of country, and
just before sunset it may be observed swiftly winging its way over the
plains or down the gullies to its drinking-place. During the long drought
of 1839-40, when I was encamped at the northern extremity of the Brezi
range, I had daily opportunities of observing the arrival of this bird to
drink, the only water for miles, as I was assured by the natives, being
in the immediate vicinity of my tent, and that merely the scanty supply
left in a few small natural basins in the rocks, which had been filled
by the rains of many months before. This peculiar situation afforded
me an excellent opportunity of observing not only the Bronze-wing, but
many other birds inhabiting the neighbourhood. Few if any of the true
insectivorous or fissirostral birds came to the water-holes, but on the
other hand those species that live upon grain and seeds, particularly
the Parrakeets and Honey-eaters (_Trichoglossi_ and _Meliphagi_), were
continually rushing down to the edges of the pools, utterly regardless
of my presence, their thirst entirely overcoming their sense of danger.
Seldom if ever, however, did the Bronze-wing make its appearance during
the heat of the day, but at sundown it arrived with arrow-like swiftness,
either singly or in pairs. It did not descend at once to the edge of
the pool, but dashed down to the ground at about ten yards distance,
remained quiet for a short time, then walked leisurely to the water, and
after drinking, winged its way to its roosting-place. With a knowledge,
therefore, of the habits of this bird, the weary traveller may always know
when he is in the vicinity of water; and however arid the appearance of
the country may be, if he observes the Bronze-wing wending its way to a
given point, he may be certain to procure a supply of water. When rain has
fallen in abundance, and the rivers and lagoons are filled, the case is
materially altered; then the Bronze-wing and other birds are not so easily
procured."
It is supposed that a partial exodus of these birds takes place from time
to time, which Gould thinks very probable. After the termination of the
breeding season, both young and old resort to the stubble-fields, and from
twenty to thirty brace may be daily killed. This species feeds entirely
on the ground, upon a variety of leguminous seeds. It breeds in August
and the four succeeding months, and often rears two or more broods. The
nest is usually placed on the horizontal branch of an apple or gum tree
near the ground, especially on those growing in flat meadow-land in the
neighbourhood of water. The nest, which is very frail, is made of small
twigs, and of rather hollow form. The two eggs are white, an inch and
three-eighths in length, and an inch in breadth.
* * * * *
The QUAIL PIGEONS (_Geophaps_) differ from the above birds principally in
the comparative shortness of their powerful beak, their small, rounded
wing, high tarsus, and the bare circle that surrounds the eye. The members
of this group inhabit Australia, and breed upon the ground.