[ 26 1 
Of what economic Tmportance these Birds' nests are is 
shown by the fact that in the year igoj nests to the total value 
of $622,677 were imported to Singapore, Borneo (B, R Borneo, 
Sarawak and Dutch Borneo) contributing $238,157, Java 
$235,iio» Sengora $50,900, Siam Proper $32,750, Sumatra 
$22,946, etc. ; whilst the exports to Hongkong amounted 
to 5511,612 and to China to $317,351. 
TROCONS. 
The Trogons (Malay name * Kasumba *) are found in the 
tropical forests both of the Old and the New World, Their 
plumage is peculiarly soft and of bright colouring. Their first 
and second toes are directed backwards. Three of the species 
exhibited resemble each other, viz. the Fork-tailed Trogon (Pyra- 
trogon diardi = Harpacfes diardiX the Red-backed Trogon (P. 
dimtticeli), and P. kasmnbih which are brown above, red below, 
and black along neck and upper breast, whilst in two species 
{P. aresciiis and P. dutitensis) the red of the underside is re- 
placed by orange. 
BROAD0ILLS, 
The Broadbills are restricted to the Tndo-Malayan region. 
They are small and j^atiy coUmretl birds, with broad and flat 
bills. The most beautiful of them is the 'B, pachut' {Calyptomena 
viridis), from Pahang, of velvety green colour and black bars 
across its wings. It is stated to live on fruit, whilst the other 
members of the group prefer insects. Other handsome species 
are the Yellow-backed Broadbill or Tadah hujan rimba {Eury- 
laetfius jtwmircus) and the Black and Red Broadbill or B. hujan 
(Cywhor/tynchns macrarhyttchtLs), with a specially large bill. 
PITTAS OR ANT-THRUSHES. 
The Pittas or Ant-Thrushes are another family of birds 
which excel through their brilliant plumage. Most of them are 
found in the Oriental and Australian regions, and only a few 
in Africa. They generally live in dense jungle, hopping along 
the ground, and are therefore also known as Ground-Thrushes. 
Their food consists of insects, snails and such like. The most 
common Singapore species is the Blue-winged Pitta or Rimba 
kampong {Pitta cyamptera). But the most beautiful Malay 
kind is Van der Bosch's Pitta {Eitckhhi Ixtschi), It is distin- 
guished by its brilliant orange occiput and the purple abdomen, 
crossed by bars of reddish brown. Its Malay name is Mertua 
plandok rimba, a name used for most other Pittas as well- 
