PITTA KUBKITiUCHA, Wall.
PITTA RUBRINUCH A, Wall.
Red-naped Pitta.
Pitta nOnmdta, Wallace, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 1 87.-14. P. Z. i 1863, p. 2 5,-Gray, Hand-list of Birds, i. p. 297.
no. 4382 (1869).—Schlegel, Revue Coll. Pitta Mus. Pays-Bas, p. 12 (1874).—Salrad. Aunah Mus.
Civic. Genov, viii. p. 375 (1876).
Brachyurus rubimcha, EUiot, Monograph of the Pittidm, pi. xviii. (1863).—Id. Ibis, 1870, p. 418.
Although bearing a general resemblance to the other red-breasted species o f the genus Pitta, the present
bird possesses such a well-marked character in its red nape-spot, th at it can be easily distinguished a t a
glance from all its allies. Another conspicuous and peculiar mark exists in the blue colour on the ear-
coverts. I t was discovered by Mr. Wallace in the Molnccan island o f Bouru, where it has since been met
with by the hunters o f Mr. Bruijn, who sent four specimens to the museum a t Genoa.
Professor Schlegel, in his Review o f the AnHhrushes contained in the Leiden Museum, records a single
specimen from the island o f Ceram, collected there by Von Rosenberg— a new locality for the species, and
ohevwhich we should almost suppose would require confirmation, when one thinks of the absolute manner
in which these red-breasted Pittas a re confined each to his own locahty. This seems to be also Count Salvadori’s
opinion. , .
Nothing whatever has been written o f the habits or mode of life o f the red-naped Pitta, which still
remains one o f the rarest o f the genus. I am indebted to Count Salvador! for the opportunity of figuring
this scarce species, and I herewith return him my hearty thanks for the loan of the pair which are represented
in the accompanying Plate, and which, I believe, are from the collection o f the Genoa Museum.
I add a short description.
General colour above olive-green, with a broad scarlet patch on the nape; head chestnut-brown, with a
blue patch on the crown; sides o f face and throat light reddish grey, the ear-coverts bluish ; lower throat
blackish brown, succeeded by a broad chest-band o f pale blue, the rest of the under surface bemg scarlet;
primaries black, with a white spot on two or three o f them ; bill brown ; legs light grey.
T h e sexes are alike in plumage.
Total length 7 inches, bill 4 t, wing l i , tarsus 2 i.