PTILINOPUS EWINGII, Gould. 
Ewing“’s Fruit Pig-eon. 
Ptilinopus Ewingii, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., February 8, 1842. 
This lovely species, which is a native of the Cohourg 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 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 he 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. 
