PITTAS 
the underg^rovvth with astonishing speed, trustm^ largely to 
their legs as a means of escape. They are plump little birds, 
generally about thrush-size with longish legs and a short tail. 
The nest is placed on, or near the ground, and the eggs are 
white with dark spots. Seven species occur in the Malay 
Peninsula and the I ndo- Australian area may perhaps be 
regarded the headquarters of the family. 
[W53 
