The figure is of the natural size.
CHALCOPHAPS CHRYSOCHLORA.
J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith. C. Hullmandel Imp.
CHALCOPHAPS CHRYSOCHLORA.
Little Green Pigeon.
Tourterelle de Java, Buff. Pl Enl. 177?
Columba Javanica, Auctorum?
Colombe Turvert, Temm. Pig., fol. 2nd fam. pl. 26. p. 62.—Ib. Pig. et Gall., tom. ii. pp. 252 and 468.
Columba chrysochlora, Wagl. Syst. Av. Columba, sp. 79.
There are, in my opinion, several closely allied species of this form, distributed over Australia and the islands of Java, Sumatra, &c., whose specific characters have never been accurately defined; I am inclined to consider the Javanese bird as distinct from that here figured, and the bird inhabiting the northern coast of Australia, of which I have only seen one or two examples, as distinct from both. The principal difference that I have yet observed in the two species inhabiting Australia, is that the one from the north coast has the bill of much greater length than that from New South Wales; a more minute comparison, however, is necessary to ascertain if they be identical or not.
The Little Green Pigeon is sparingly dispersed in all the brushes of New South Wales, both those clothing the mountain ranges as well as those near the coast; how far it may proceed northwards has not yet been ascertained. The brushy districts are the localities peculiarly adapted to it, and these I believe it never leaves for the more open parts of the country; hence it is but little known to, and seldom seen by, the colonists, a circumstance the more to be regretted, as the beauty and brilliancy of its plumage and the neatness of its form render it one of the most pleasing objects to behold that occur in the Australian forests. When flushed, it flies very quickly through the scrub, but to no great distance, and readily eludes pursuit by pitching suddenly to the ground, and remaining so quiet that it can rarely be discovered.