PTILINOPUS EWINGII, Gould.
Ewing's Fruit Pigeon.

Pitilinopus Ewing, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., February 8, 1842.

 

Tuts lovely species, which is a native of the Cobourg Peninsula, and doubtless ranges over the northern
coast of Australia generally, differs from the preceding, Pétilinopus Swainsonii, in being much smaller in all its
admeasurements, in the colour of the crown being rose-pink instead of crimson-red ; in the breast being
pale greenish grey instead of dull green ; in having the centre of the abdomen rich orange instead of lilac ;
and also in having the tail-feathers tipped with greenish yellow instead of clear rich yellow. The specimens
from which my figures are taken were fully adult, and were submitted to dissection in order to ascertain
the sexes; consequently I am fully convinced, that, although the present and preceding species are very
nearly allied, they are specifically distinct.

In naming the second Australian species of this beautiful form after the Rev. Thomas J. Ewing, at pre-
sent residing in Van Diemen’s Land, I am actuated by a desire to pay a just compliment to one who is
perhaps more thoroughly versed in the productions of writers on the interesting science of ornithology
than most other persons, and, although so far removed from the seats of knowledge, continues to pro-
secute his studies with the utmost ardour ; I feel assured therefore, that, however objectionable the naming
of species after individuals may be under ordinary circumstances, it will not in this.instance be deemed an
inappropriate mode of evincing my sense of the many admirable qualities of a highly esteemed friend.

Forehead and crown of the head rose-pmk, bordered with a narrow line of yellow, except in front ; back
of the head and neck greenish grey; all the upper surface bright green, passing into deep blue on the
tertiaries ;_ primaries, secondaries and tertiaries slightly margined with yellow ; tail largely tipped with
yellow, tinged with green, particularly on the two centre feathers; chin pale yellow; sides of the neck
ereenish grey ; chest pale greenish grey, each feather forked at the end and tipped with grey; below the
chest an indistinct band of sulphur-yellow; flanks and lower part of the abdomen green; centre of the
abdomen rich orange, in the middle of which is a lunar-shaped mark of lilac; under tail-coverts orange ;
thighs and tarsi green ; irides orange ; feet olive.

The figures are of the natural size.