196 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



Mysore, etc. Of familiar, bold disposition, frequentinoj 

 gardens and cultivated ground, it may be seen perching 

 on trees and shrubs, but nevertheless makes its nest on the 

 ground. ' 



The eggs are four or five in number, of a greenish grey 

 colour. 



The song of the bush lark is very agreeable, and is 

 uttered for the most part during its short flights from one 

 shrub or bush to another. It is often caged, and does well, 

 if ])tovided with a sufficiency of insect food. 



THE PITTAS. 



A very distinctive group, found for the most part in the 

 islands of the Indian Ocean ; but there is a continental 

 example. 



Family — Pittida. 



Genus — Pitta. P. bcugaloisis. Bengal Pitta. 



Bexgal Pitta, or Yellow-Breasted Ground Thrush, 

 as it is also called. — The head is olive brown, with a median 

 black stripe extending from the base of the upper mandible 

 to the back of the neck, where it meets with another black 

 line that passes over the ears ; a white line about the eye 

 on either side extends to the nape, but the two do not quite 

 meet in the centre ; the back, rump, scapulars, and wing 

 coverts are dull bluish green, and the long upper tail coverts 

 are pale blue ; on the shoulder is an azure patch ; the tail 

 is black, tipped with dull blue ; the chin, throat, and the 

 sides of the neck are white ; the rest of the lower parts are 

 isabelline, except the middle abdomen, vent, and under tail 

 coverts, which are scarlet. The length of this bird is 7 

 inches, 1 j^ of which belong to the tail. 



