_Bill_ lengthened, almost cylindrical, fleshy for two-thirds of its length from the base; _nostrils_ lateral and covered by an oval swollen operculum; _wings_ very short and concave; _tail_ short; _tarsi_ lengthened and defended in front by large distinct scuta; _toes_ rather short, hind-toe situated high upon the tarsus. A genus proposed by me for the reception of the Wonga-Wonga Pigeon of the Australian Brushes, a bird having many peculiar habits, but which, being mainly terrestrial, lead it to frequent the ground in the midst of the dense forests, where it moves about in pairs, feeding upon seeds and berries. Its flesh being remarkably white and extremely delicate, it is one of the best birds for the table inhabiting Australia, or indeed any other country. The colour of the flesh suggested the generic term I have assigned to it. 425. Leucosarcia picata Vol. V. Pl. 63. Genus PHAPS, _Selby_. The members of this genus, generally known by the name of Bronze-wings, form an excellent viand for the settlers, and one of the greatest boons bestowed upon the explorer, since they not only furnish him with a supply of nutritious food, but direct him by their straight and arrow-like evening flight to the situations where he may find water, that element without which man cannot exist. 426. Phaps chalcoptera. Peristera chalcoptera Vol. V. Pl. 64. 427. Phaps elegans. Peristera elegans Vol. V. Pl. 65. 428. Phaps histrionica. Peristera histrionica, _Gould_ Vol. V. Pl. 66. “This beautiful pigeon,” says Captain Sturt, “is an inhabitant of the interior. It lays its eggs in February, depositing them under any low bush in the middle of the open plains. In the end of March and the beginning of April they collect in large flocks 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 this pigeon is most delicious, but at other times it is indifferent. It flies to water at sunset, but like the Bronze-wing only wets the bill. It is astonishing indeed that so small a quantity as a bare mouthful should be sufficient to quench its thirst in the burning deserts it inhabits. It left us in the beginning of May, and I think migrated to the N.E., for the further we went to the westward the fewer did we see of it.” Mr. Gilbert observed this species in vast flocks on the plains in latitude 19° S. Genus GEOPHAPS, _Gould_. Generic characters. _Bill_ very short and robust; _eyes_ surrounded with a bare skin; _wings_ very short and rounded; _tertiaries_ long, and broad at their ends; _tarsi_ moderately long; _toes_ shorter than the tarsus, the inner toe rather the longest.