538 PERCHING BIRDS. 



ranging from the lower spurs of the Himalaya, through Burma and Siam, to 

 Sumatra, Borneo, and Java. 



The type of the genus Eurylcemus has the bill broader than the head, the under 

 mandible being very thin, particularly at the base ; while the nostrils are basal, the 

 primaries are slightly graduated, the tail short and rounded, and the feet moder- 

 ately strong. These broadbills are found in the forests of tropical India, as well as 

 those of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Among the species the figured Javan 

 broadbill (Eurylcemus javanicus) was discovered upwards of ninety years ago 

 by Dr. Horsfield in the eastern extremity of the island from which it takes its name. 

 Sir Stamford Raffles found it frequenting the banks of rivers and lakes, feeding 

 upon worms and insects ; and it seems partial to the neighbourhood of water, building 

 its nest in its aquatic haunts, often overhanging a pool. It is generally found in 

 situations difficult of access, such as are covered with extensive forests, and are in- 

 tersected with marshes and rivers. The plumage of the head, sides of the neck, 

 and under-parts is violet, varying in intensity. The forehead is nearly black ; the 

 upper neck brown ; the wings deep blackish brown, varied with yellow ; the tail- 

 coverts yellow, the feathers being black at the base ; while the central tail-feathers 

 are black, and the outer ones are black, with a white transverse band near the 

 extremity. 



THE PITTAS. 

 Family 



The pittas, or Old World ant-thrushes, are distinguished by the structure of 

 the syrinx and the form of the wing, the first primary of the latter being of large 

 size instead of being nearly suppressed, as in the other Passerines with ten primaries. 

 They are birds of lovely plumage, blue and crimson adorning many of the species. 

 The pittas are most abundant in the forests of the Malay Archipelago, especially 

 in the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The blue-naped pitta inhabits the Himalaya 

 from Nipal to Assam ; while the fulvous pitta is found in the ever-green forests 

 of the hills of Pegu ; and Sumatra is the home of the giant pitta. The rainbow 

 pitta of Australia is a beautiful bird, golden green above with bright metallic blue 

 shoulders, velvety black head and throat, and crimson abdomen ; but the Malayan 

 pittas are the most gorgeous of the family. Strange to say, a single species of 

 pitta is found in West Africa. 



. The typical pittas (Pitta) possess no crests of elongated feathers, 



but are plain-headed, having a strong, thrush-like bill, gradually 

 curved ; while the wings are of moderate size, the first and second quills being 

 but slightly graduated. The tail is very short, almost hid by the coverts, and 

 may be broad and rounded or narrow and pointed. The feet are very long, and 

 adapted to a terrestrial life; for the pittas pass most of their existence on the 

 ground in the midst of dense jungle. They rarely fly long distances, except on 

 migration, but their flight is strong and well sustained. These pittas may be 

 regarded as the most characteristic birds of Borneo, where six species are found, 

 three of the number being peculiar to the island. Of Ussher's pitta, Mr. Whitehead 

 says : " The bright scarlet breast when turned towards one is not easily distinguished 



