The spotted green pigeon is a species of pigeon that is most likely extinct. It was first mentioned and described in 1783 by John Latham, who claimed to have seen two specimens and a drawing depicting the bird. Today, the species is only known from a specimen kept in World Museum, Liverpool. Overlooked for much of the 20th century, it was only recognised as a valid extinct species by the IUCN Red List in 2008. In 2014 a genetic study confirmed it as a distinct species related to the Nicobar pigeon, and showed that the two were the closest relatives of the extinct dodo and Rodrigues solitaire. The remaining specimen is 32 cm (12.5 in) long, and has very dark, brownish plumage with a green gloss. The neck-feathers are elongated, and most of the feathers on the upperparts and wings have a yellowish spot on their tips. It has a black bill with a yellow tip, and the end of the tail has a pale band. It has relatively short legs and long wings. It may have been native to an island somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean, and it has been suggested that a bird referred to in 1928 as titi by Tahitian islanders was this bird.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_green_pigeon

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1422:

The Treaty of Melno was signed, establishing the Prussian–Lithuanian border, which afterwards remained unchanged for about 500 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Melno

1875:

The Ellen Southard wrecked in a storm at Liverpool, England; the United States Congress subsequently awarded 27 gold Lifesaving Medals to the lifeboat men who rescued her crew. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Southard

1949:

Members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference unanimously selected Zeng Liansong's design for the flag of China (pictured). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_China

1975:

Two members of ETA political-military and three of the Revolutionary Antifascist Patriotic Front became the last people to be executed in Spain, having been sentenced to death for murders of policemen and civil guards. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_use_of_capital_punishment_in_Spain

2007:

NASA launched the Dawn probe, its first purely exploratory mission to use ion propulsion, from Cape Canaveral. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_(spacecraft)

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

Elysian: 1. Of or pertaining to Elysian or Elysium, the location. 2. (idiomatic) Blissful, happy, heavenly. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Elysian

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government, our Country will stand in Need of its experienced Patriots to prevent its Ruin.   --Samuel Adams https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Samuel_Adams