_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
PITTA STREPITANS, _Temm._
Noisy Pitta.
_Pitta strepitans_, Temm. Pl. Col. 333.—Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn.,
vol. ii. pl. 77.
_Pitta versicolor_, Swains. in Zool. Journ., vol. i. p. 468.
The description of _Pitta versicolor_ given by Mr. Swainson in the
“Zoological Journal” agrees so accurately with the description and
figure of _Pitta strepitans_ in the “Planches Coloriées,” that not the
slightest doubt exists in my mind as to their identity; but which of
these names has the priority is a point I have been unable
satisfactorily to determine, in consequence of the latter work having
been published in parts at irregular periods. Mr. Swainson, it is true,
refers to the “Planches Coloriées,” and institutes a comparison between
his bird and the _Pitta cyanoptera_, beautifully figured in Pl. 218; the
_Pitta strepitans_, on the other hand, forms the subject of Pl. 333,
which we may reasonably suppose must have appeared at a much later
period, although it may still have been prior to the publication of _P.
versicolor_; the numbers of foreign works being frequently much in
arrear in this country. In support of the priority of M. Temminck’s
name, I may quote a passage from the “Illustrations of Ornithology” of
Messrs. Jardine and Selby:—“This species seems to have been unnoticed
until the figure of M. Temminck, who received his specimen from Mr.
Leadbeater. It then appeared to be the only individual of this form
known to belong to New Holland; and it is only lately that Mr. Swainson
has added a second species, in his _P. versicolor_, to the interesting
ornithology of that country.”
Never having seen this bird alive, I am unable to give any account of
its habits and manners from my own observation. It is said to dwell in
those almost impenetrable brushes of the eastern coast of Australia, and
is tolerably abundant in all such localities between the river
Macquarrie and Moreton Bay; it is also said to be very thrush-like in
its disposition, and, as its long legs would lead us to suppose, resorts
much to the ground, although it readily takes to the branches of trees
when its haunts are intruded upon. Its food consists of insects, and
probably berries and fruits.
The two young figured in the accompanying Plate with an adult were
collected in the brushes bordering the river Clarence on the east coast,
which must consequently be enumerated among its breeding-places. The
circumstance of the young, like those of the Kingfishers, assuming the
characteristic plumage of the adult from the time they leave the nest is
very singular, and the knowledge of this fact is very important,
inasmuch as it may lead to some valuable results in classification.
The sexes appear to present but little differences either in colour or
size; some specimens, which I take to be males, however, differ in
having the tail-feathers more largely tipped with green than others.
Crown deep ferruginous with a narrow stripe of black down the centre; on
the chin a large spot of black terminating in a point on the front of
the neck, and uniting to a broad band on each side of the head,
encircles the crown and terminates in a point at the back of the neck;
back and wings pure olive-green; shoulders and lesser wing-coverts
bright metallic cærulean blue; across the rump a band of the same
colour; upper tail-coverts and tail black, the latter tipped with
olive-green; primaries black, becoming paler at the tips; at the base of
the fourth, fifth and sixth a small white spot; sides of the neck,
throat, breast and flanks buff; in the centre of the abdomen a patch of
black; vent and under tail-coverts scarlet; irides dark brown; bill
brown; feet flesh-colour.
The figures are of the natural size.
[Illustration:
PITTA VIGORSII; (_Gould_).
_Drawn from Nature & on Stone by J. & E. Gould._ _Printed by C.
Hullmandel._
]
PITTA VIGORSII, _Gould_.
Vigors’ Pitta.
_Pitta brachyura_, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 218.
A single specimen of this beautiful species of _Pitta_ forms part of the
collection of the Linnean Society of London, where it has always been
considered as identical with the _Pitta brachyura_, but from which it
differs in many important characters, among the most conspicuous of
which may be noticed its larger size, and the narrow streak of light
greenish grey which passes from the nostrils over each eye, and nearly
surrounds the occiput.
I have not been able to obtain any decided information respecting the
portion of Australia from which this bird was obtained, but the eastern
and northern coasts may be regarded as its most likely habitat; and I am
unable to render any account of its habits, or the situations it
frequents: several of the members of the group, however, particularly
the other Australian species (_Pitta strepitans_), are known to prefer
the thick brushes near the coast, where it hops about and scratches up
the leaves, etc., in search of food. The _Pitta brachyura_ is also said
to perch on the topmost branches of decayed trees, and to resort to the
sides of inland streams and waters, where it sports among the shallows,
frequently wading up to its knees, which aquatic habits are indicated by
the general character of its plumage; and as the present bird is very
nearly allied to that species, it has doubtless similar habits.
Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield having omitted to notice the distinctive
characters of this species, while engaged upon their elaborate Catalogue
of the Australian Birds in the Linnean Society’s collection, I have much
pleasure in dedicating it to the memory of the late Mr. Vigors, whose
high scientific attainments, especially in Ornithology, are so well
known that my testimony is unnecessary.
Crown of the head, ear-coverts, and back of the neck jet-black; a narrow
stripe of greenish grey commences at the nostrils, passes over each eye,
surrounds the crown, and nearly unites at the occiput; back,
scapularies, outer edges of the secondaries, and the greater
wing-coverts bronzy green; shoulders, rump, and upper tail-coverts fine
lazuline blue; throat white; chest, flanks, and thighs tawny buff;
centre of the abdomen dark blood-red, passing into scarlet on the under
tail-coverts; primaries black, with a white bar across the centre of the
third, fourth, fifth and sixth; tail black, tipped with green; bill dark
brown; legs flesh-colour.
The figure is of the natural size.
[Illustration:
PITTA IRIS: _Gould_.
_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
PITTA IRIS, _Gould_.
Rainbow Pitta.
_Pitta Iris_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., February 8, 1842.
Two specimens of this new and beautiful _Pitta_, both killed on the
north coast of Australia, have already come under my notice. One of
these is in the collection of Dr. Bankier, Acting Surgeon of H.M.S.
Pelorus, and the other, apparently a female, is in the British Museum,
having been lately presented to the national collection with many other
fine birds, by Captain Chambers, R.N., of the same vessel.
The Rainbow Pitta differs so much from all other known species of this
lovely tribe of birds, as to render a comparison quite unnecessary. By
its discovery we can now enumerate three species from Australia. How
rapidly is this fine country unfolding her rich treasures, of which,
indeed, sufficient have been seen to rank her second to none in the
interest of her productions!
Both the specimens above-mentioned are from the Cobourg Peninsula, where
the species is not uncommon, and it will doubtless, hereafter, be found
to range over a great portion of the north coast. No further account of
the habits of this fine bird have been received than that it inhabits
the thick “cane-beds” near the coast, through which it runs with great
facility; the boldness and richness of its markings render it a most
attractive object in the bush.
Head, neck, breast, abdomen, flanks and thighs deep velvety black; over
the eye, extending to the occiput, a band of ferruginous brown; upper
surface and wings golden green; shoulders bright metallic cærulean blue,
bordered below with lazuline blue; primaries black, passing into
olive-brown at their tips, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth having a
spot about the centre of the feather; tail black at the base, green at
the tip, the former colour running on the inner web nearly to the tip;
rump-feathers tinged with cærulean blue; lower part of the abdomen and
under tail-coverts bright scarlet, separated from the black of the
abdomen by yellowish brown; irides dark brown; bill black; feet
flesh-colour.
The figures are of the natural size.
[Illustration: