Larks. 95 



To render this series of articles fairly complete, it will be necessary- 

 just to glance at the Pittas, Tyrants, and one or two other groups, 

 members of which are not infrequently imported, before proceeding 

 to the Picarian groups. 



Pittas (Pittidce). 

 Jerdon regarded these birds as Ground-Thrushes. 



Bengal Pitta {Pitta brachyura). 



Unlike the Thrushes, the bill of the male is very slightly shorter 

 and stouter' than that of the female. In the latter sex the lower 

 mandible is much paler than in the male, and the rami, viewed from 

 below, are seen to be much more divergent. 



Noisy Pitta (Pitta strepitans). 



The Museum specimens are not sexed, but what I take to be 

 males have a rather heavier and longer bill than the supposed 

 females ; and the scarlet on the lower abdomen and under tail- 

 coverts is much brighter and less diffused. 



The Tyrants (Tyrannidce). 



The two species most frequently imported are much alike in 

 colouring, but differ greatly in form of bill. Their general aspect 

 and their habits are similar to those of Kingfishers. 



Pitangua or Broad-billed Tyrant (Megarhynchus pitangus). 



When viewed from above, the bill of the female is slightly shorter 

 than that of the male, and distinctly broader at base ; the sides 

 therefore are far more oblique ; the throat is of a less pure white 

 colour, and the tail longer. 



Sulphury Tyrant (Pitangus stdphuratus). 



The bill of the male is considerably longer than in the female, is 

 narrower at base, and less acute at tip ; the borders to the flight- 

 feathers are also of a distinctly deeper cinnamon- reddish in the 

 male than in the female. 



Oven-Birds (Dendrocolaptidce). 

 Red Oven-Bird (Furnarius rufus). 



Comparing fully adult birds, the female is a trifle smaller than the 

 male ; she has a very slightly shorter and more slender bill ; her 

 throat is not quite of so pure a white, and the centre of her abdomen 

 is more stained with brownish, 



