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BRACHYURUS CONCINNUS.
ELEGANT. PITTA.
P itta Concinna. Gould. Proc. Zool. Societ., (1857,) p. 65.
P itta (Brachyurus) Mathilde. J. Verreaux, Rev. et Mag. Zool., (1857,) p. 298, pi. 11.
Obscure viridis: capite juguloque nigris, vittis superciliaribus rufis, nucha albo caerulescente: tectrici-
bus, alarum minoribus, uropygioque viridi-cyaneis: primariis, caudaque nigris; subtus ockraceus; secunda-
riarum marginibus pallide caeruleis: primariis albo-pimctatis. Rostro nigro, pedibus coraeis.
Adult.—Head, back o f neck, cheeks, chin, and stripe down the centre o f the throat, b la ck ; a line o f buff
from the nostrils over each eye terminating in pale blue; back and wings dark gr e en ; lesser wing
coverts and rump light b lu e; primaries and secondaries black, with a white spot near the base o f the
4th, 5th, and 6th o f the former; upper tail coverts black; under surface fawn color; centre o f the
abdomen b la ck ; vent and under tail coverts scarlet; bill b la ck ; feet flesh color.
Habitat.—Island o f Lombock.
The present species was named almost simultaneously by Messrs. Gould and J.
Verreaux, but Mr. Gould’s name takes precedence, having, as far as I can discover,
been published a few days before that of M. Verreaux; consequently the P. Mathilde
must become a synonyme.
• Mr. Gould, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society remarks, that u this bird
ranks as one of the smallest species of this particular section of the group, it being even
less, than the Pitta Brachyura of authors, to which it bears a general resemblance, but
from which the black coloring of its throat will at all times distinguish it.”
“ For this species we are indebted to the researches of A. R. Wallace, Esq.”
Regarding the habits and economy o f . this beautiful species, I am unable to give
any account, but suppose it resembles in both, its near relative B. Bengalensis.
The plate represents two adult birds of the size of life, and the fine specimens from
which my drawing was made are contained in the Academy at Philadelphia.
The plant is the Gaelogyne Praecox.