PITTAS. 



539 



from the scarlet fruits and bright red dead leaves which carpet these forests. 

 The bird when alarmed generally keeps its dark back towards one, which is still 

 more difficult to see in the dusky shades of the forest." 



The Indian pitta (P. brachyura) ranges from the lower slopes of the Himalaya 

 to Ceylon. Most common in forest-regions, in the Central Provinces, Mr. Gates says 

 that it breeds in July and August, building a huge globular nest of twigs and leaves, 

 on the ground or in a low branch. Mr. Hume says that few Indian eggs are more 

 beautiful than those of this species, these being glossy white in ground-colour, marked 

 with marone and purple. In the Carnatic, the Indian pitta occurs chiefly in hot 

 weather, when the land-winds first begin to blow with violence from the west ; and in 



INDIAN PITTA (| nat. size). 



many instances it appears to have been blown by the gale from the eastern ghats, for, 

 being a bird of comparatively feeble flight, it is not well able to contend against 

 the full force of the wind. At such times the pitta takes refuge in huts, outhouses, 

 or any building that will afford it a shelter. The Indian pitta is a taciturn bird, 

 though it possesses a fine loud whistling note ; and it appears to be a migratory 

 visitor to Ceylon, arriving from the north with the snipe. Although this pitta is a 

 local migrant, being found in the southern part of its range in winter, and in the 

 central and northern portions in the hot weather and rains, yet a certain number 

 of birds appear to be constant residents in all parts of its range suited to its habits. 

 During its sojourn in Ceylon, the Indian pitta is shy and wary, resorting chiefly to 

 tangled brakes and ill-kept native gardens. It rarely alights on a tree, and is 

 oftenest seen alone ; but three or four individuals are sometimes met with in 

 company. It feeds on beetles and other insects. The adult has the forehead, crown, 



