The black headed species constitute the sixth group. They are very closely allied as regards
size and markings, but I consider all those given as good and distinct species. They are five in
number, as follows;
24 . B rachyurus F orsteni, ............................................................................................P l a te X X IV .
25. Brachyurus Atricapillus, . . . . . . . Plate XXV.
Specimens o f this species are also found with the black streaks on their backs and wings,
which I have mentioned as occurring in examples o f B. Bengalensis. The same cause in both
species, doubtless produces the like effect, and the remarks on this subject already given are
equally applicable here.
26 . B rachyurus Mulleri, . . . . . . P l a te X X V I .
27 . B rachyurus N ov^e-Guihea, . . . . P l a te X X Y I I .
28. B rachyurus Cucullatus, . . . . . Plate XXVIII
The remaining genus is the one established by Yieillot, v iz .:
P I T T A ,
WITH THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS.
B ill moderate, straight, oilmen elevated a t the base, with sides compressed a t the tip, which is curved
and emarginate ; nostrils lateral and exposed. Wings projecting to tile middle o f the tail, with
the th ird and fo u r th quills equal and longest. Tail composed o f twelve feathers, rather long,
graduated and cuneate. Tarsi v e ry long and slender, broadly scuttelated. Toes long, united a t
base, h ind toe quite long, the claws moderate, curved, and acute.. H in d toe v e ry long.
Of this genus there are but three species known, more graceful in form than their relatives
o f the preceding genus, and o f bright gay plumage. They are,
29. P itta Cyanura, . . . . . . . . Plate XXIX.
30. P itta S chwaneri, . . . . . - Plate XXX.
31. P itta B oschii, . . . . . . . Plate XXXI.
These comprise all the species o f this family that are known, and after careful investigation
o f all the information concerning them which was available, I believe that those given are the
only ones entitled to be considered as true and distinct species o f the different genera to which
they are attributed.
Other members _of this beautiful family are doubtless yet to be discovered, and I shall always
learn with pleasure whenever another has been brought to the knowledge o f ornithologists, or when
any additional information shall be given concerning those already treated o f in this volume.
EXPLANATION OF THE ABBREVIATIONS,
L I S T OF A U T H O R S A N D WO R K S R E F E R R E D TO.
Adams, Proceed. Zool. Societ. A . L. Adams, in the Pro- \
eeedings o f the Zoological Society o f London.
Albin, A v. Albin, Natwral History o f Birds.
A llen, Exp. Niger. AUen <& Thompson's Narrative of
the Expedition to the Rimer Niger.
Blyth, Cat. Birds Mus. Asiat. Societ. Beng. Blyth, in the
Catalogue o f the Birds in the Museum o f the Asiatic
Society o f Bengal.
Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Societ. Beng. Blyth, in the Jownal
o f the Asiatic Society o f Bengal.
Bodd., Tab. Plan. Enlum. de Buffi Boddaert, Table des
Planches Enluminées de B u ff on.
Bon., Consp. Gen. Av. Bonaparte, Conspectus Generum
Avium.
Bon., Consp. Voluc. Anisodact. Bonaparte, Conspectus Vo-
lucrum Anisodactylorum.
Briss., Ornith. Btnsson, Ornithologie ou Méthode contenant
la division des Oiseaux en ordre, Sectiones, c&c.
Buot., Plan. Enlum. Buffon, Planches Enluminées.
Cab. <fc H eine, Jour, fur Ornith. Cabanis <& Heine, in
Journal fier Ornithologie.
Cassin, U. S. Expi. Exp., (ornith.) Gassin, in the United
States Exploring Expedition, (ornithology.)
Cuv., Règn. Anim. Cuvier, Règne Animal.
Des Murs, Icon. Ornith. Des Murs, Iconographie
■ Ornithologique.
E dwards, Birds, Edwards, Natural History o f Birds.
E lliot, Proc. A. Nat. Scieu. Elliot, in the Proceedings of
the Academy of [Natural Sciences o f Philadelphia.
Eyton, Proc. Zool. Societ. Eyton, in the Proceedings of the
Zoological Society o f London.
F orst., Bijdr. tot de Dierk. Forsten, Bijdragen lot de
Bierhunde wntgegeven, doorliet .G.enpotscliap Ruttvra
Artis te Amsterdam.
F raser, Proceed. Zool. Societ. Fraser, in the Proceedings
o f the Zoological Society o f London.
Gmel., Syst. Natur. Gmelin, Systema Natures.
Gould, Cent. Him. Birds. Gould, Century o f Birds from
the Himalaya Mountains.
Gould, Proceed. Zool. Societ. Gould, in the Proceedings
o f the Zoological Society o f London.
Gould, Birds of Asia. Gould, in The B irds o f Asia. ■
Gould, B. of Austr. Gould, in The.Birds o f Australia.
Gould, Int. to B. of Austr. Gould, in The Introduction
to the Birds o f Australia.
Gray, Blast. Ind. Zool. Gray, Illustrations o f Indian
Zoology;
Gray, Gen. of Birds. Gray & Mitchell, Genera o f Birds.
Gray:, Proceed. Zool. Societ. Gray, in the Proceedings of
the Zoological Society o f London.
Gum-'., Anim. King. Griffiths, Animal Kingdom. .