| 422. Lopholaimus Antarcticus | [Vol. V. ] Pl. 61. |
A noble bird ornamented with a large occipital crest.
Genus Chalcophaps, Gould.
Generic characters.
“Bill slender, moderate and straight, the tip vaulted and rather arched; nostrils lateral, membranous and swollen, with the opening in the middle of the bill; wings long, second and third primaries nearly equal and the longest; tail moderate and much rounded; tarsi rather shorter than the middle toe, robust and covered with transverse scales; toes long, the lateral and the hind-toes nearly as long as the outer; claws moderate and curved.”—Gray and Mitchell’s Genera of Birds, Art. Gourinæ.
A genus of Brush Pigeons, the members of which seek their food on the ground and live on the fallen seeds and berries they find there. Two species inhabit Australia, one of which is confined to the eastern and the other to the northern coast; other species are found in Java, Sumatra, and on the continent of India, the whole forming a group well worthy of investigation by the scientific ornithologist.
| 423. Chalcophaps chrysochlora | [Vol. V. ] Pl. 62. |
The bird of this form inhabiting the country in the neighbourhood of Port Essington differs from those inhabiting New South Wales in the much greater length of the mandibles, and is altogether a much finer bird: consequently I am induced to believe that it is distinct from its southern prototype; I would therefore provisionally name it—
| 424. Chalcophaps longirostris. |
I have not figured it, inasmuch as the colouring is similar, but more brilliant, and has the bands across the rump more distinct than in C. chrysochlora.