INTRODUCTION. 
zegithognathism of the second variety. Тһе two known species of the genus Philepitta, 
besides having been placed in many other Families, were incorporated by G. R. Gray 
(Hand-1. B. vol. 1. р. 297. no. 1094) as a genus of the Pittidæ. Forbes (Proc. Zool. Soc. 
1880, p. 387) was enabled to determine from the dissection of a specimen of P. castanea 
that these birds could not remain in the Pittidee (whose species have the “ bronchial 
semi-rings Ima less modified, being nearly entirely simple semi-rings ; the lateral muscle, 
too, is slender and not spread as in Philepitta ”), but must be placed in a Family by 
themselves, PHILEPITTIDE. A single species of another genus (Mellopitta, Stejneger), 
lugubris (Rosenb.), still occupies a place in the system, and until its anatomical 
structure is known it will be impossible to say whether it should be included among the 
Pittidæ or not. Sclater (Cat. В. xiv. 1888, p. 449) includes it in Pittidæ, under the 
generic name of Coracopitta, although he is doubtful if it is rightfully placed; while 
Salvadori (Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. x. p. 147) regards it as Timeliine, and consequently an 
Acromyodian form (Oscine). Gould (Birds of New Guinea, pt. H.) suggests that 
M. lugubris may be a connecting-link between Pitta and Philepitta, and possibly this 
may eventually prove to be a fact; but in view of the uncertainty existing, and because in 
the colour and structure of feathers it exhibits a style very different from that presented 
by the members of Pittid@, I have deemed it best not to consider this species as belonging 
to the Family. . 
Nitzsch, in his ‘ Pterylography,’ places Pitta in his section Subulirostres seu Canoræ. The 
species possess an undivided rhombic saddle and a dilatation of the pectoral tract furnished 
with an outer branch, which is usually more or less separated at the end, rarely truncated ; 
and all the spaces, together with the interval between the contour feathers and the oil- 
gland, are covered with a dense downy clothing. There are twelve rectrices, and the 
second, third, fourth, and fifth primaries are nearly equal and longest. 
The position the Pittidæ will therefore occupy in a Classification of Birds will be in the 
Oligomyode section of Mesomyodian Passeres, between PHILEPITrIDA on the one hand 
and Хемівсір ж on the other, with the rightful position of Mellopitta to be left for future 
determination, whether it should be included in the Ріттірж or possibly be the 
representative of a separate Family. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
The Geographical Distribution of the Ріттірж is in many cases difficult of explanation 
by any theory yet advanced. Natives, for the most part, of islands forming the Eastern 
Archipelago, some of the species are distributed without regard apparently for the ordinary 
laws which we are i to believe determine to a very great extent the habitats, continuance 
of life, and persistence in type of the various creatures that are living upon the earth 
