PITTA IRIS 
RAINBOW PITTA. 
Pitta iris, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1842, p. 17 (Coburg Peninsula).—Id. B. Austr. vol. iv. pl. 3.—Id., Intr. B. 
Austr. p. 51.—Id. Handb. B. Austr. vol. i. 1865, p. 432.—Müll. & Schleg. Verh. Geschied. Natuur. 
Ned. overz. Bezitt., Zool. Pitta, 1839-44, p. 14.—Schleg. Mus. Pays-B., Pitta, 1863, p. 6; 1874, 
p. 16 (Port Essington).—Gray, Gen. B. vol. i. 1846, p. 213.—Wall. Ibis, 1864, p. 108.—Sclat. 
Cat. B. vol. xiv. 1888, p. 444 (Port Essington). 
Brachyurus iris, Bon. Consp. Gen. Av. vol. i. 1850, p. 255.— Elliot, Ibis, 1870, p. 419. 
Iridipitta iris, Bon. Consp. Vol. Anis. 1854, p. 7. по. 193. 
Brachyurus (Iridipitta) iris, Elliot, Mon. Pitt. 1863, pl. xxiii. 
Hasrrat.—North Australia. 
Head, neck, breast, abdomen, and flanks jet-black. A broad chestnut stripe runs over each eye and joins 
at the nape; back and wings bright green; lesser wing-coverts silver-blue, tipped with purple. 
Primaries black, with a white spot in the centre of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. Band of silver-green crosses 
the rump. Tail black, tipped with green; lower part of belly and under tail-coverts scarlet. Bill 
black; feet flesh-colour. Length 6 inches, wing 4, tail 1:4. 
Very little has been recorded about this species. It inhabits the thick cane-brakes near 
the coast, through which it runs with great facility. According to Gould it is not 
uncommon in the Coburg Peninsula. Its range has not yet been ascertained, but it may 
possibly be found to inhabit a great portion of the north coast. Its nest and eggs have not 
been discovered. 
The Rainbow Pitta is the only member of the Family which has the underparts 
jet-black, and from this fact is most readily distinguished from all the other species, 
and has no near allies. 
Em === 
EG PMT MI A 
