Pittas. 
5 
with Midi fi-(.'(|Ucni:\' iiUo inlKihilotl Iimisus. jci-don's explanation is its ' fi.'cl)k' 
llii^ht.' hul I ilmii)t whctiu'i- be is correct in calling tlic pitta a bird of feeble 
flight : it can ti'avel very fast, for short distances at any rate. It seems that 
the pitta dislikes cold and wind, and therefore naturally seeks any shelter that 
I)resents itself. Not being a garden bird, it is unaware that the bungalow, 
wliich offers such tempting cover, is the abode of human beings. Possibly 
another reason why the pitta so frequently enters bungalows is to avoid the 
crows. The corvi are out-and-out Tories. They strongly resent innovation 
qua innovation. Any addition to uie local fauna is distasteful to them. They 
object to the foreigner quite as strongly as do (perhaps I should say ' did 'j 
the Chinese. It is for this reason that they mob every strange, bird that 
shows its face. ' Now, they seldotn come across the creatures of the night 
or the denizens of the thick undergrowth ; consequently, when such venture 
forth into the light of day the crows forthwitli attack them.'' 
" The I^itta feeds chiefly on beetles, termites, ants, and other creeping 
things, which it seeks out among fallen leaves, after the manner of the 
' seven sisters.' The pitta is quick on its feet, and is abse to run and lio]i 
with equal ease. It thrives in captivity. It is an excellent i)et. provided 
it is not kept with smaller birds. It regards these as so much fresh meat 
especially provided for it." 
" The nest of the pitta is described as a globular structure fully nine 
inches in horizontal diameter and six inches high. Twigs, roots and 
dried leaves are the building materials utilised. The eggs are exceedingly 
beautiful. The ground colour, writes Hume, is China white, sometimes 
fanitly tinged with pink, sometimes creamy ; and the eggs are speckled and 
spotted with deep maroon, dark purple, and brownish purple as primary 
markings, and pale inky purple as secondary ones. Occasionally, instead of 
spots, the markings take the form of fine hair-like lines." 
These notes are mainly a compilation, but are more likely 
to be useful than the platitudes with which we too often dilate 
upon a species we are indifferently acquainted with. True, 
we are often met with the criticism " it is avicultural experience 
we mostly want." But it is equally true that the aviculturist 
who meets with the most continuous success is the one who 
takes the trouble to acquaint himself with the life-histories of 
the species he confines in his aviaries, and the parallel mii.ihc 
be carried much further — therefore this is my excuse, if any be 
needed. 
The term " feeble flight," used by Prof. Newton, possibly 
quoting' Jerdon, must not be taken too literally, for Mr. Phillips 
found one he kept for some months in his largest aviary to 
be a strong flier, and keeping to the tops of the trees and 
branches in the aviary; nevertheless it is a terrestrial species, 
and feeds entirely upon the ground, 
