NESTS AND EGGS OF AV ST K A LJ A N B7KVS. 



529 



To obtain the snail wh™ it has retired into its shell, the Pitta has 

 recourse to a stone. Holding the shell in its bcakj the bird breaks it 

 by repeatedly striking the delicate organism on the stone. I have often 

 observed them thus breaking the shells in the Cardwell scrubs. In 

 places little heaps of the broken molluscs may be seen lying on and 

 around a stone that has evidently been especially suitable or con- 

 venient for their purpose. And I may here say, for the infonnation of 

 conchologists, that complete specimens of these land shells were very 

 difficult to meet with about the Cardwell district diuing my stay there. 

 P. macl-hiti builds its nest the same way as ximiHinin. and the eggs 

 laid are also equal in number." 



I have seen several skins of the handsome Blue-breasted Pitta from 

 Cape York, collected there by Mr. Harry Barnard, but he appears to 

 have been unable to procure their eggs, notwithstanding he was there 

 the whole of their breeding months, one season (1896-7). 



422.— PiTT.\ mis. Oould.— (270) 

 RAINBOW PITTA. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv., pi. 3. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xiv., p. 444. 



Geogrii [ihiriil Diafrihntinu. — North-west Australia and Northern 

 Territoiy. 



Xexf and Eejf/x. — ITndescribed. 



Ohservniiiinx. — The rare Rainbow Pitta inhabits the North-west and 

 Northern Territory. We know nothing of the economv of this beautiful 

 creature save that it frecments the thick cane-beds near the coast, 

 through which it rims rapidly, and where tlie boldness and richness of 

 its plumage render it a most attractive object. The black under surface 

 makes this bird quite a distinct species which, according to Mr. P. L. 

 Sclat#r. has no near allies. 



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