PETROPHASSA ALBIPENNIS, Gowa
White-quilled Rock Dove.

Petrophassa albipennis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VIII. pls

 

Tus highly singular species of Pigeon is an inhabitant of the most rugged, rocky and sterile districts of
the north-west coast of Australia. The specimens in my possession were sent me by the Officers of the
Beagle, but, I regret to say, were unaccompanied by any particulars respecting their history. The form of
the wing would lead us to imagine that in many parts of its economy this species much resembles those of
the members of the genus Geophaps ; but on these points nothing can be ascertained with certainty, until
the productions of those remote parts of Australia have been carefully investigated, a period which, from
the inhospitable character of the country, I fear is far distant.

Crown of the head and neck greyish brown, margined with sandy brown ; all the upper surface, chest and
tail rufous brown, the centre of each feather inclining to grey ; lores black ; abdomen and under tail-coverts
chocolate brown ; throat clothed with small feathers white at the tip, black at the base ; primaries dark
brown at their tips, the basal half pure white ; bill and irides blackish brown ; feet reddish brown.

The Plate represents a male and a female of the natural size.