PTILOPUS SPECIOSUS, 
Lilac-bellied Fruit-Pig’eon. 
Ptilopus speciosus, Schleg. Nederl. Tijdsch. iv. p. 23 (1871). — Id. Mus. P, B. Columba, 1873, p. 27. — Salvad. 
Ann. Mus. Civ. Genov, ix. p. 197 (1876). — Elliot, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 564. 
This species was described by Professor Scblegel from specimens forwarded by Baron von Rosenberg under 
the MS. name of Piilopus speciosus, a title adopted by the learned Professor. He writes: — “This unde- 
scribed species belongs to the most beautiful of the genus. It lias been discovered, as we have already 
mentioned in our note on P. miquelii, in the island of Mefoor (Mafoor), where it lives side by side with 
P, riwlii, as well as in the island of Soek (Misori), where it represents P. riwlii and P. miquelii, which come 
from Meosnoum and Jobi.” I may mention that the birds here mentioned as P. miquelii and P. rivolii are 
identified by Mr. Elliot as P. prasinorrhous and P. strophium respectively. The island of Soek is another 
name for Misori — the latter name being better known through the discoveries of Dr. Meyer and Dr. Beccari. 
A large series has also been recently received at the Paris Museum from the islands of Mafoor and Misori, 
collected by M. Raffray ; and Mr. Elliot states that individuals from these localities do not differ. 
The sexes arc thus described by Mr. Elliot : — 
Male. General plumage yellowish green, darkest on the head and neck. A broad bright yellow band, 
bordered on the lower side with white, crosses the breast. Abdomen beautiful lilac ; lower part of abdomen 
and under tail-coverts bright lemon-yellow. A purple spot in front of the eyes. Primaries grey on their 
outer webs and tips ; first not narrowed especially towards tip. Tail yellowish green. Bill black, tip 
yellow. Feet dark red. Total length 7 inches, wing 4f, tail 2t, cuhnen I. 
Female. Green, with the feathers of the abdomen margined yellow, and under tail-coverts yellow. Pri- 
maries have outer webs and tips grey. 
The two figures on the Plate are of the natural size, and represent the adult male atid female, being 
drawn from specimens in my own collection, the female having been presented to me by Dr. Meyer. 
