PITTA MEGARHYNCHA, Sekkg. 



Large-billed Pitta. 



Pitta megarhyncha, Schleg. Vog. Nederl. Ind., pi. 4. fig. 2— Elliot in Ibis, 1870, pp. 408, 409, 414. 

 Brachjurus megarhynchus, Elliot in Ibis, 1870, pi. xii. 



On reference to the opposite plate, where the present bird is represented of life-size, it will be readily seen 

 that it offers a close alliance to Pitta cyanoptera and P. nympha (that is if the latter be really a species), and 

 more distantly to P. oreas and P. bengalensis. 



The special use of the very large bill with which this bird is furnished has not been ascertained ; in all 

 probability it is intended for the breakage of the shells of the mollusks peculiar to the little island whereon the 

 bird is found. Its ochraceous crown, black and well-defined nuchal band, fulvous-white throat, and great 

 black bill have been given as the specific characters of the species ; in other particulars (i. e. its green back, 

 shining blue shoulders, and upper tail-coverts, the white markings of the first four or five primaries, the buff 

 colouring of the abdomen, and the scarlet under tail-coverts) it resembles P. cyanoptera. 



Of this well-marked species a single but fine example graces the Museum of Leyden ; this unique specimen 

 was kindly transmitted to London for the use of Mr. Elliot in his resume of the Pittidce, published in 'The 

 Ibis ' for 1870. I also was allowed to make a drawing of it for the present work ; and I would here record 

 my obligations to Professor Schlegel, the worthy director of the ' Musee de Pays-Bas,' and to Mr. Elliot for 

 the assistance they have thus rendered me. 



The following brief remark is all that Mr. Elliot has recorded respecting this bird, and I believe that no 

 one else has written a sentence in any other publication : — 



" This bird bears a close resemblance to P. cyanoptera, but possesses a bill very different, both in shape 

 and colour, the latter being black. It also differs in having the reddish brown of the head extending- to the 

 nape, without being broken by a black bar ; the lower part of the neck behind bordered with black." 



The Plate represents the same bird in two positions, of the size of life. 





. m -. m H ; 1 \ 



