This lovely species, which is a native of the Cobourg Peninsula, and doubtless ranges over the northern coast of Australia generally, differs from the preceding, Ptilinopus 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 present 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 prosecute 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-pink, 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 greenish 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.
PTILINOPUS SUPERBUS.
J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith. C. Hullmandel Imp.
PTILINOPUS SUPERBUS.
Superb Fruit-Pigeon.
Colombe poukiobou, Columba superba, Temm. Les. Pig., fol. 2nd fam., p. 75. pl. 33.—Ibid. Pig. et Gall., 8vo. tom. i. pp. 277, 474.
This lovely species was originally figured and described in the splendid work on the Pigeons by Madame Knip and my friend M. Temminck as an inhabitant of one of the islands of the Pacific Ocean; and it affords me much pleasure to be enabled to include a representation of it among my illustrations of the Fauna of Australia, specimens having been procured by Mr. Bynoe on Booby Island, which lies off the north coast. In all probability it enjoys an extensive range over the islands of New Guinea as well as over all parts of Northern Australia, wherever suitable situations occur. The specimens procured by Mr. Bynoe were fortunately male and female: the latter sex exhibits in its plumage traces of immaturity; but whether the rich colouring of the crown of the head is at all times absent is a point yet to be ascertained, a knowledge of which would greatly tend to clear up the confusion which reigns throughout this gorgeously-coloured group of Pigeons.
The male has the crown of the head of a very deep rich purple; sides of the head and occiput olive-green; sides and back of the neck bright rufous; shoulders very dark bluish black; all the upper surface and wings deep yellowish green, tinged with rufous; the scapularies and tertiaries with a spot of deep green near the extremity; primaries and secondaries black, slightly margined externally near the tip with pale yellow; tail grey at the base, to which succeeds a broad band of black, glossed particularly on the central feathers with green; beyond this the tips are white, all but the outer ones washed with green; chin white; breast grey, below which a band of black; abdomen and under tail-coverts white, the latter with a stripe of olive down the centre; band crossing the flanks and another crossing the thighs olive-green; feet orange; bill dark horn-colour.