ANTITOCINCLA. 387 



The Pittidce are a compact group of birds which are found 

 over the whole of South-eastern Asia, extending to Australia ; 

 and a single species is found in Africa. They differ from all 

 other Indian Passeres in the structure of the syrinx and also in the 

 formation of the wing, the first primary being of large size, whereas 

 in all the other ten-primaried Passeres the first is markedly small. 

 Their long legs and short tails also suffice to separate them from 

 nearly all other Passeres. 



The Pittas live habitually on the ground and feed on insects ; 

 they hop and run with great facility and their flight is strong for 

 short distances. The males have a very sweet call consisting 

 of a double whistle, uttered from a tree. The majority of the 

 species prefer dense jungle, but some few may be found in gardens, 

 sparse bamboo-jungle, and even in comparatively open country. 

 Many of the species are locally migratory, others appear to be quire 

 stationary throughout the year. 



The Pittas make large oven-shaped nests on the ground or on 

 thick branches near the ground and lay four or five eggs which are 

 very richly marked. 



It seems quite impossible to divide the Indian Pittas into 

 more than two genera, as they are extremely similar to each other 

 in structure. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Feathers at sides of nape long- and pointed, 



forming conspicuous aigrettes Anthocincla, p. 387. 



b. Feathers at sides of nape not conspicuously 



lengthened Pitta, p. 388. 



Genus ANTHOCINCLA, Blyth, 1862. 



The only species of this genus is characterized by its conspicuous 

 aigrettes and by its elongated and compressed bill. The sexes are 

 not very different. 



926. Anthocincla phayrii. Phayre's Pitta. 



Anthocincla phayrii, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xxxi, p. 343 (1862) ; Hume, 

 S. F. iii, p. 109, pi. ii ; Blyth, Birds Burm. p. 100 ; Hume fy Bar. 

 S. F. vi, p. 245 ; Hume, Cat, no. 340 ter ; Bingham, S. F. ix, 

 pp. 177, 474 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 420 ; Sclater, Cat. B. M. xiv, 

 p. 413 ; Oates in Hemes N. fy F. 2nd ed. ii, p. 279. 



Coloration. Male. A black band from the forehead passing over 

 the middle of the crown and expanding to cover the nape and 

 whole hind neck ; remainder of crown and forehead rich fulvous, 

 each feather narrowly edged with black ; lores, cheeks, and ear- 

 coverts mixed rufous and black; a broad stripe from the eye over 

 the ear-coverts, reaching well down the neck, white, each feather 

 margined with black ; some of the longer feathers, forming- 

 aigrettes, also barred with black; whole upper plumage ruf< us 



2 c2 



