"11 1 A K.OCHI, Briiggem. 

 Koch's Pitta. 



Pitta kochi, Bniggem. Abhandl. nat. Verein. Bremen, Band v. p. 429, Taf. iii. 

 Erythropitta kochi, Tweeddale, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 430. 



This magnificent Pitta is as yet only known to us by a single specimen in the Darmstadt Museum, whither 

 it was sent by a collector from the island of Luzon. It is in every sense a striking bird, on account of certain 

 peculiarities in its coloration, but mora particularly on account of its large size, which exceeds that of any 

 other species of scarlet-breasted Pitt*' Like many of the Moluccan species belonging to the same section, 

 the present bird has a broad blue band across the chest ; the dark forehead and red nape also are by no 

 means peculiar to it; but in none of its allies do I find that broad moustache which is such a prominent 

 feature in Pitta kochi. 



It is the second species of the genus known to inhabit Luzon ; and the other one, Pitta erythrogastra, 

 though belonging to the same blue-banded section of the genus Pitta, is a very much smaller bird, and has 

 a bright blue collar round the hind neck. It has also reddish ear-coverts, like the nape ; and most of the 

 Moluccan species have likewise light ear-coverts ; so that Pitta kochi is again remarkable for having the ear- 

 coverts dark brown, like the forehead. 



The few observations above given will suffice to show that the subject of my plate is a very interesting 

 bird ; and it is to be regretted that we know nothing of its habits or economy. I cannot, however, conclude 

 this article without expressing my heartiest acknowledgments to Dr. von Koch, the Director of the Darm- 

 stadt Museum, for his kindness in allowing me to make a drawing of the species from the unique specimen 

 in that museum. 



The following is a description of the typical specimen : — 



General colour above dull olive-brown, with somewhat of a ruddy tint on the sides of the neck and mantle; 

 wing-coverts lilac-grey, the primary-coverts and quills blackish brown ; the primaries externally greyish 

 towards their ends ; the secondaries and inner greater coverts olive-brown, washed with lilac-grey on the 

 outer webs; the second, third, and fourth primaries with a large white spot on the inner web, the last-named 

 having the white spot on the outer web as well ; upper tail-coverts and tail lilac-grey, the latter darker ; 

 forehead and crown, as well as the lores, region of the eye, and ear-coverts dark brown, the latter slightly 

 shaded with an olive tinge ; nape and hind neck dull red ; cheeks ashy brown, with a bluish shade under 

 certain lights, forming a very broad moustache ; throat reddish in the centre, brown on the sides, forming 

 a malar stripe; the fore neck red with a tinge of lilac ; chest lilac-grey, the sides olive-brown ; remainder 

 of under surface of body scarlet, the sides olive-brown, with which colour the centre of the abdomen is 

 washed; under tail-coverts scarlet, the longer ones tipped and edged with lilac-blue; thighs ashy grey; 

 under wing-coverts dull lilac-blue, some of the outer ones tipped with white ; axillaries olive-brown, like the 

 back ; quills ashy brown below, relieved by the before-mentioned white spots on the primaries. Total 

 length 7"5 inches, culmen 1*2, wing 4*7, tail 2*2, tarsus 2*1. 



The figure in the Plate represents the bird of the full size of life, and is, as above stated, drawn from the 

 type specimen. 



H 







p 8 



pa 



m 



m 

 H 



SI 



I 



8 



s 



1 







