File:The animals of New Zealand; an account of the dominion's air-breathing vertebrates (1909) (14732590326).jpg

Identifier: animalsofnewzeal00hutt (find matches)
Title: The animals of New Zealand; an account of the dominion's air-breathing vertebrates
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Hutton, Frederick Wollaston, 1836-1905 Drummond, James, 1869-1940
Subjects: Zoology Birds
Publisher: Christchurch, N. Z., Whitcombe and Tombs
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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study its motions, Mr. Pottssat down close by it. But it soon made a sudden swoop at theintruder, and repeated the manoeuvre several times, most per-severingiy, and Avith great gravity aud deliberation. After eachattack, the bird resumed its perch on the gate, and only once didit make a blow felt. The oliserver rose and walked up a dark ferngully some distance aAvay, and the owl followed and attackedhim again. Order Columbiformes. Bill with a hard tip and a soft swollen base. Feet with threetoes in front and one behind, all at the same level. Fa»iilij Tycronidae. Tarsus generally shorter than the middle toe. Feathered formore than half its length. The soles of the feet broad. Genus Ilemiphaga. Bill moderate. Wings pointed, the third and fourth quillsJiearly ecpial and longest. Tail long, composed of twelve feathers.New Zealand and North Island. Key to the Species. Outer wing-coverts green. H. novEe-zealandise. Outer wing-coverts grey. H. cbatliamensis. 172 THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND
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Wood Pigeon. The Wood Pigeon.—Kuku or Kereru. IJonipJiaya iiorae-zealandiae. Above, coppery purple; head, neck, and breast coppery green.Abdomen white. Tail greenish black. Feet pink. Eye crimson. Lengthof the wing, 10 inches; of the tarsus, 1.25 inch. The sexes are alike.Egg—White: length, 1.9 inch. Both Islands. THE WOOD PIGEON 173 The beautiful plumage of the native wood pigeon gives it rankamong the most handsome birds belonging to this dominion.Unfortunately for itself, its flesh is very palatable, and pigeonpie is a dainty dish that is much relished. Pigeons formerly frequented the bush in almost all parts ofNew Zealand. Though their numbers have been greatly reduced,they are still fairly plentiful in places. Mr. W. W. Smith reportsthat they were very common in the Lake Brunner district whenhe visited the locality, about 1890. He noted that, in fine weather,large flights changed their quarters daily, flying from shore to 1 Wm r 1 m Nt -.1 .it Wood Pigeon. shore, or from one

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