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PITTA KOCHI, Brigeem.

Koch’s Pitta.

Pitta kochi, Briiggem. Abhandl. nat. Verein. Bremen, Band v. p. 429, Taf. iii
Erythropitta kochi, Tweeddale, P. 7%. S. WSUS}, 30), 2'S%0),

 

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Tuis magnificent Pitta is as yet only known to us by a single specimen in the Darmstadt Museum, whither
It is in every sense a striking bird, on account of certain
peculiarities in its coloration, but more particularly on ace

it was sent bya collector from the island of Luzon.
ount of its large size, which exceeds that of any
uke many of the Moluccan species belonging to the same section,
band across the chest; the dark forehead and red nape also are by no

other species of scarlet-breasted Pitta. |
the present bird has a broad blue
means peculiar to it; but in none of its allies do I find that broad moustache which is such a prominent
feature in Pitta kochi.

It is the second species of the genus known to inhabit Luzon; and the other one, Pitta erythrogastra,
though belonging to the same blue-banded section of the genus Pitta, is a very much smaller bird, and has
a bright blue collar round the hind neck. It has also reddish ear-coverts, like the nape; and most of the
Molucean species have likewise light ear-coverts ; so that Pitta kochi is again remarkable for having the ear-
coverts dark brown, like the forehead.

SD PLA ALD DP

NM,

The few observations above given will suffice to show that the subject of my plate is a very interesting

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bird; and it is to be regretted that we know nothing of its habits or economy. I cannot, however, conclude
this article without expressing my heartiest acknowledgments to Dr. von Koch, the Director of the Darm-
f stadt Museum, for his kindness in allowing me to make a drawing of the species from the unique specimen
in that museum.

: The following is a description of the typical specimen :—

BS

General colour above dull olive-brown, with somewhat of a ruddy tint on the sides of the neck and mantle;

es

i wing-coverts lilac-grey, the primary-coverts and quills blackish brown; the primaries externally greyish
towards their ends; the secondaries and inner greater coverts olive-brown, washed with lilac-grey on the
outer webs ; the second, third, and fourth primaries with a large white spot on the inner web, the last-named
having the white spot on the outer web as well; upper tail-coverts and tail lilac-grey, the latter darker ;
forehead and crown, as well as the lores, region of the eye, and ear-coverts dark brown, the latter slightly
shaded with an olive tinge; nape and hind neck dull red; cheeks ashy brown, with a bluish shade under
certain lights, forming a very broad moustache ; throat reddish in the centre, brown on the sides, forming
a malar stripe ; the fore neck red witha tinge of lilac; chest lilac-grey, the sides olive-brown ; remainder
of under surface of body scarlet, the sides olive-brown, with which colour the centre of the abdomen is
washed ; under tail-coverts scarlet, the longer ones tipped and edged with ee thighs sy grey ;
under wing-coverts dull lilac-blue, some of the outer ones tipped with white ; axillaries olive-brown, like the
back; quills ashy brown below, relieved by the before-mentioned white spots on the primaries. Total
length 7:5 inches, culmen 1:2, wing 4:7, tail 2°2, tarsus ae j fo ;
The figure in the Plate represents the bird of the full size of life, and is, as above stated, drawn from the

type specimen.

 

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