Flock Bronzewing

SCI Name:  Phaps histrionica
Protonym:  Peristera histrionica BirdsAustr. pt2 pl.13
Taxonomy:  Columbiformes / Columbidae / Phaps
Taxonomy Code:  flobro1
Type Locality:  Plains in the interior of New South Wales, i.e. Liverpool Plains.
Author:  Gould
Publish Year:  1841
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

PHAPS
(Columbidae; Ϯ Common Bronzewing P. chalcoptera) Gr. φαψ phaps, φαβος phabos  wild pigeon, pigeon; "We also include in this division the Bronze-winged Dove of Australia, and other kindred species, such as the Columba elegans of Temminck, and Columba picata of Wägler, to which we propose to give the generic name of Phaps, an appellation formerly bestowed by the Greeks upon some species or variety of pigeon.  ...  GENUS PHAPS, — SELBY,   IS characterized by a bill of moderate length, rather slender, the upper mandible gently deflected at the tip, and shewing an indication of a notch or emargination.  Wings of mean length, the second and third feathers the longest, and nearly equal.  Tail slightly rounded.  Legs, the tarsi as long as the middle toe, the front covered with a double row of scales, the sides and hinder part reticulated with small hexagonal scales.  The hind toe or hallux short; the inner toe exceeding the outer in length.  Claws blunt, and slightly arched.   Type Columba chalcoptera, Lath.  To this group the Columba elegans of Temminck and Columba picata of Wägler belong." (Selby 1835).
Synon. Cosmopelia.

histrionica
L. histrionicus  theatrical, like a harlequin  < histrio, histrionis  harlequin, actor.