The CROWNED PIGEON (_Goura coronata_) is principally of a slate-blue
colour, with chestnut-red shoulders and white stripes on the centre of the
wing; the tail-feathers terminate in a white stripe. The eye is yellowish
scarlet, the back dull grey, and the foot red, powdered with white. The
length of this bird is twenty-eight inches; the wing measures fourteen and
a half and the tail ten inches.
[Illustration: THE VICTORIA CROWNED PIGEON (_Goura Victoriæ_).]
These birds, we learn from Wallace, inhabit the coast of New Guinea in
large numbers, as also the Islands of Waigiu, Salawati, and Misool.
In their habits they resemble Pheasants, living upon the ground, and
wandering about the woods in small parties in search of fallen fruit.
If alarmed, they at once take refuge upon the low branch of a tree, and
in this situation they also sleep. The nest found by Rosenberg was very
loosely constructed, and contained but one fledgling. Large numbers of
these birds are exported alive to Java, Amboyna, and Banda, and from
thence to Europe; from this practice has arisen the idea that the species
is indigenous to those islands. When in confinement the Crowned Pigeons
soon become tame, and learn to attach themselves to those who feed
them. In the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park there are several
specimens, whose manners are very curious and interesting.
"Their walk," says the Rev. J. G. Wood, "is quite of a royal
character--stately, majestic, and well according with the crown they wear
upon their heads. The crest seems always to be held expanded. They have
the habit of sunning themselves upon the hot pavement of their prison by
lying on one side, laying the head flat on the ground, tucking the lower
wing under, and spreading the other over their bodies, so as to form a
very shallow tent, each quill-feather being separated from its neighbour
and radiating around the body. Sometimes the bird varies this attitude
by stretching the other wing to its full length, and holding it from the
body at an angle of twenty degrees or so, as if to take advantage of every
sunbeam and waft of air. While lying in this unique attitude it might
easily pass at a distance for a moss-covered stone, a heap of withered
leaves, or a rugged tree-stump, with one broken branch projecting from its
side; no one would think of taking it for a bird."