136 JUNGLE FOLK 



foreigner quite as strongly as do (perhaps I should say 

 " did ") the Chinese. It is for this reason that they 

 mob every strange bird that shows its face. Now, 

 they seldom come across either the creatures of the 

 night or the denizens of the thick undergrowth ; 

 consequently, when such venture forth into the light 

 of day the crows forthwith attack them. 



The pitta feeds chiefly on beetles, termites, ants, 

 and other creeping things, which it seeks out among 

 fallen leaves, after the manner of the " seven sisters." 

 The pitta is quick on its feet, and is able to hop and 

 run with equal ease. It thrives in captivity. It is an 

 excellent pet, provided it be not kept with smaller 

 birds. It regards these as so much fresh meat especially 

 provided for it. 



The nest of the pitta is described as a globular 

 structure fully nine inches in horizontal diameter 

 and six inches high, with a circular aperture on 

 one side. Twigs, roots, and dried leaves are the 

 building materials utilised. The eggs are exceedingly 

 beautiful. " The ground colour," writes Hume, " is 

 China w^hite, sometimes faintly tinged with pink, 

 sometimes creamy ; and the eggs are speckled and 

 spotted with deep maroon, dark purple, and brownish 

 purple as primary markings, and pale inky purple as 

 secondary ones. Occasionally, instead of spots, the 

 markings take the form of fine hair-hke lines." 



