The rarity o f some o f the species composing this family, and the difficulty o f obtaining
specimens to figure, has been one cause o f my laboring under great disadvantage; and I never
could have brought the work to a successful conclusion in this country, had I not been most
generously aided by my kind friends in Europe, who have afforded me all the information and
assistance in their power.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to acknowledge my obligations to Dr. Philip Lutley Sclater,
the distinguished Secretary o f . the Zoological Society o f London, for the readiness with which, at all
times, he has rendered me much valuable aid during the progress o f the work; and to my friend.
Mons. Jules P. Verreaux, o f Paris, who kindly superintended some drawings for me, and who freely
allowed me to make use o f whatever information he had obtained regarding these birds. To the
eminent ornithologists, Mr. John Gould and Mr. George Robert Gray, o f London, I take this
opportunity o f renewing my thanks for information given at various times. To Dr. Schlegel, of
Leyden, who kindly furnished specimens, for the purpose o f figuring, otherwise unattainable, I
am much indebted; and also for much interesting information contained in the valuable paper
furnished by himself and M. Muller, in the work from which I have so extensively quoted.
And to Dr. Pucherau I take this opportunity o f offering my thauks for facilities o f examining
specimens in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes ;— also to Mr. John Cassin, o f Philadelphia,
who has given me the benefit o f his experience in the production o f such plates as illustrate
this Monograph, and for all other assistance in his power, I am particularly obliged.
The coloring o f the Plates, intrusted to the well-known house o f Messrs. Bowen & Qo., of
Philadelphia, has been executed in a manner which, in this country, has never been surpassed,
and rarely equalled. I would also express my gratification at the. careful way in which
Mr. 0. P. Tholey has lithographed my drawings.
In conclusion, I would state how greatly indebted I feel to those who have honored my
work with their patronage, whose aid has enabled me to complete it, and without which no
undertaking like the present could be brought to a successful termination.
New York, November, 1862.
I N T R O D U O T I O N.
Among the numerous ornithological papers scattered throughout the various journals and
periodicals relating to this science, but few contribute any information o f the beautiful birds
composing the family o f the Pittidae. Inhabiting countries and islands, some o f which yet
remain uncivilized, and where the researches o f the adventurous naturalist are opposed and
prevented by barbarous tribes, it cannot be surprising, although it may be a subject o f regret,
that but little light has been thrown upon the economy and habits o f these birds. Yet, notwithstanding
the difficulties which have presented themselves, new species have been obtained at
various times, until we may fairly suppose that nearly all the members o f this family have
become known to ornithologists.
These birds are chiefly terrestrial in their habits, their long legs and large feet rendering
them as well adapted for dwelling upon the ground as upon the branches o f trees. They are
inhabitants o f that portion o f the Old World comprising Tropical India with its archipelago,
Australia, a solitary species from Africa, and one attributed to Japan. I f may not be amiss
here to investigate moi’e particularly their geographical distribution.
Upon looking at that portion o f the globe within which these birds appear to be restricted,
we observe that by far the largest number o f species is to be found among the various islands
composing the Indian Archipelago, some o f which produce several members o f this family, others
only one.
Borneo takes the first place as the habitat o f the greatest number, six species having been
discovered there, viz., Cyanopterus, Granatims, Venusius, Bauclii, Mulleri, and Schwaneri. Of
these, three inhabit also other localities, viz., Cyanopterus Java, Sumatra, and. Malacca; Venustus
in Sumatra, and Granatinus in Malacca.