ciiAF. X-] mAUTIFUL BIRDS. 157 



any nourishment from tbcm ; yet 1 often siiot tliese birds 

 with several palm-fniits in the crop, which generally hurst 

 when they f<;ll to the ground, I ohluiued hei^ eiglit 

 S]x;cies of Kingfishers, among whieli was a very beautiiiil 

 new one, named by Mr. Gould, Halcyon fiilgidiis. It was 

 found always in ttiicketaj away from water, and seemed to 

 feed on snails and insects picked up from tlie ground aftt-r 

 the manner of tlie great Laughing Jackass of Australia. 

 The beautiful little violet ami orange species (Ceyx rufi- 

 dorsa) is found in similar situations, and darts rapidly 

 along like a flame of fire. Here abo I fli-st met with the 

 pretty Australian Bee-cater (Merops ornatus). This elegant 

 little biixl sits on twigs in open places, gazing eagerly 

 arf)und, and darting oit at intervals tu seize some insect 

 which it sees flying near; returning afterwards to tlie 

 same twig to swallow it. Its long, sharp, curved bill, the 

 two long nan'ow feathers in its tail, its beautiful green 

 plumage varied with rich brown and black and vivid blue 

 on the throat, render it one of the most graceful and 

 interesting objects a naturalist can see for the first time. 



Of all the birds of Lombock, however, I sought most 

 after tbe beautiful ground thrushes (Pitta coneinna), and 

 always thought myself lucky if I obtained one. They were 

 found only in the dry plains densely covered with tliickets, 

 and carpeted at this season with dead leaves. They were 

 so shy that it was very dillicult to get a shot at them, and 

 it was only alter a good deal of practice that I discovered 

 how to do' it. The habit of these birds is to hop about 

 on the gi-ound, picking up insects, and on the least alarm 

 to run into the densest thicket or take a flight close along 

 the ground. At intervals they utter a peculiar cry of two 

 notes which when once lieani is easily recognised, and 

 they can also be beard hopping along among the dry 

 leaves. My practice was, therefore, to walk cautiously 

 along the narrow pathways with which the country 

 abounded, and on dutectuig any sign of a Pitta's vicinity 

 to stand motionless and give a gentle whistle occasionally, 

 imitating the notes aii near as possible. After half an 

 hour's waiting 1 was often rewarded by seeing the pretty 

 bird hopping along in the thicket. Then I would perhaps 

 lose sight of it again, till, having my gun raised and fcady 



