nge, if I except a solitary
wanderer on the banks of the Murray. These birds lay their eggs in
February, depositing them under any low bush in the middle of open
plains. In the end of March and the beginning of April, they collect in
large flats 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 these pigeons is most delicious, but at other times it is
indifferent. They feed on the open plains, and come to water at sunset,
but like the Bronze-wing only wet the bill. It is astonishing indeed that
so small a quantity as a bare mouthful should be sufficient to quench
their thirst in the burning deserts they inhabit. They left us in the
beginning of May, and I think migrated to the N.E., for the farther we
went to the westward the fewer did we see of them. This bird has a white
and black head, the crown being white, and its back is a rusty brown, the
long feathers of the wings of a slate colour, with a white spot at the
end of each as well as at the end of the tail feathers; the belly being a
beautiful deep slate colour. See page 83, vol. II.

99. GEOPHAPS PLUMIFERA, GOULD.

It was on the return of the party from the eastern extremity of Cooper's
Creek, 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 that creek, and it was generally noticed perched on some rock
fully exposed to the sun's rays, and evidently taking a pleasure in
basking in the tremendous heat. It was very wild and took wing on hearing
the least noise, but its flight was short and rapid like that of a quail,
which bird it resembles in many of its habits. In the afternoon this
little pigeon was seen running in the grass on the creek side, and could
hardly be distinguished from a quail. It never perched on the trees, but
when it dropped after rising from the ground, could seldom be flushed
again, but ran with such speed through the grass as to elude our search.
The plate, to which I may refer the reader at page 83, vol. II. in which
he will see it figured, will supersede the necessity of any description.
The Geophaps plumifera was found, I believe, in considerable numbers on
the Lind and the Burdekin by Doctor Leichhardt, during his journey from
Moreton Bay to Port Essington.

100. OCYPHAPS LOPHOTES.--Crested Pigeon of the Marshes.

The locality of this beautiful pigeon is