ШЫМ 45,2 bt 
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FoLLowING the method adopted in my various Monographs, I commence the Introduction 
to the Pittidæ with a critical review of the various works containing descriptions of, and 
references to, any of the species belonging to the Family, beginning with Linnæus’s great 
work, in which these birds are first mentioned, published in 1766. This is followed bya 
List of the Genera proposed and comments upon them, to which is added a Key to the 
Genera and Species adopted in this work ; succeeded by a Classification of the members 
of the Pittidæ or their assignment to the place in the Class Aves which they naturally 
occupy, and concluding with a review of the Geographical Distribution of the Species. . 
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. 
1766.—LiNN mus, Systema Nature. 
Under the genus Corvus, Linnæus gives a short description of the Indian Pitta as 
С. BRACHYURUS, but in his synonymy confounds it with another species, P. coRoNATA 
(Müll.). Species 1. 
1770-86.—Burron, Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. 
In the fourth volume of this great work, commeneing on page 131, four species of 
Pitta are given, three belonging to the short-tailed section, and one to the long-tailed, 
and figured on plates 89, 257, 258, and 355, under the names of Merle des Philippines, 
Merle des Moluques, Merle de Bengale, and Merle de la Guiane. 
1776.—P. L. S. Мбілев, Nature Systema, Supplement. 
The four species mentioned and figured by Buffon, in this work have Latin names 
bestowed upon them as follows :—Merle des Philippines, Turdus sorpipus ; Merle des 
Moluques, Turdus MOLUCCENSIS ; Merle de Bengale, Turdus coRoNATUS ; and Merle de 
` la Guiane, Turdus GUAJANUS. The Merle de Bengale of Buffon is not the Indian bird, 
E a on a ИРЕНЕ 
