Page:Australia, from Port Macquarie to Moreton Bay.djvu/234

 The bronze-winged pigeon, lives in the open forest country, and in the barren sandy scrubs roun4 Sydney; it is smaller than the other kinds of pigeon, and derives its name from the metallic lustre of its wings; it is easily shot. The black pigeon, and nearly all the other varieties, have the same habits as the Wonga-wonga, living in the brushes and feeding on the berries of the myrtle tree. The fruit-pigeon is the most remarkable, as its plumage is perhaps the most beautiful of all the pigeon tribe. It is rather larger than the wood-pigeon of Europe, its back, wings, and tail are of the brightest grassy green, its breast deep purple, the under parts of the wings orange, and the head and neck pearl grey. Its flesh is very good, being similar to that of the common pigeon, and they are generally very plump, and in excellent condition.

The doves of Australia are of great variety; pink, green, purple, and brown, being the predominant tints in their plumage; they are easily shot, and very good for the table. In the more open inland parts of Australia, where other birds are somewhat scarce, the spur-winged plover is to be met with. This bird derives its name from the spurs on its wings, with which it fights fiercely; it is of a large size, and easily shot.

There are many other birds in New South Wales,