260 ON THE GENUS PITTA. 



In Ray's 'Synopsis' (1713), p. 195, we find: — 



"12. Pica Indica vulgaris: Ponnunky pitta; Gent. Ponnandutty ; 

 Maderaspatensibus : The Madrass Jay. Fig. 10." &c. 



The species meant was Pitta hengalensis ; and the above passage occurs 

 in the supplement to the 'Synopsis,' which is headed (p. 193) thus : — 



" Mantissam hanc avium Maderaspatanarum addidit peritissimus 

 Naturahs Historise Cultor D. Jacobus Petiverus S.R.S. Quarum De- 

 scriptiones ex Iconibus elegantissime pictis, sibi a D. Edvardo Buckley, 

 ab arce Maderaspatana (vulgo Fort St. George) missis, desumptse sunt." 



Ray's* ' Synopsis' was published after the author's death, by Derham. 

 Hence it appears that Mr. Edward Buckley is responsible for the word 

 ' Pitta " as part of the name by which he believed the Gentoos, or Hindoos 

 of Madras, knew Pitta lengalensis. 



De Montbeillard (Hist. Nat. Ois. iii. p. 413), when speaking of " La 

 breve que M. Edwards a represente pL 324, sous le nom de pie d, courte 

 queue des Indes orientales,'' says, in a note: — "Cette breve paroit etre le 

 meme oiseau que la pie ordinaire des Indes de M. Ray, & qui s'appelle 

 aux Indes Ponnunky pitta, & Ponnun- duhy. Voyez Synopsis Aviuniy 

 p. 195," &c. 



Professor Newton informs me that " Pona-inki," which Mr. T. C. Jerdon 

 gives as the Telegoo name of Pitta hengalensis, is obviously identical with 

 " Ponnunky," given by the old collector Buckley as the prefix to what 

 in those days was called the Gentoo name of the same species. 



" Pitta," as he was informed by his learned colleague. Professor Cowell, 



■^ Never did tlie forge send fortli a nobler son than John Ray^ not even when it gave 

 Quintin Matsys to the world. 



