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PITTA ROSENBERQI I, Schleged.
Rosenberg’s Pitta.

Pitta rosenbergii, Schlegel, Obs. Zool. v., Ned. Tijdschr. voor de Dierk. iv, Dehra lorie

In the richness of its colouring and broad sweeping tints on the under surface Pitta rosenbergit will ever
rank among the finest of this Sorgeous group of birds. The nearest ally to it is the Pitta novee-guinee ;
but the differences which occur between them may be easily recognized in the figures of the accompanying
Plates. In Rosenberg’s Pitta the lively collar of silvery white on the lower part of the throat, so
conspicuous in P. NOVE-LUINEE, IS wanting ; on the other hand, the blue colouring of the flanks is much
richer. In size the two birds are about the same, as is also the black colouring of the head and green of
the upper surface. Having made these remarks, I will now state all that is known of its history. But
on this head I must necessarily be brief; for it is only of late that we have become acquainted with it—it
having been first described by my friend Professor Schlegel in 1873, loco supra citato.

Dr. Meyer informs me that it is very restricted in its geographical distribution, and represents P. nove-
guinee in the island of Mysore; where, as he remarks, it is a very interesting insular deviation from the
mainland form.

The sexes are similar in their colouring, which may be described as follows :—

Crown of the head, nape, and throat black ; back and upper surface generally brownish olive-green; the
same colour also pervades the chest, where it borders on the black of the throat; this brownish green
colouring of the chest gradually passes into deep blue on the flank; centre of the abdomen and the under
tail-coverts rich scarlet; shoulders and a broad mark on the rump beautiful silvery green. Primaries
and tail-feathers black; some of the former have a small white spot near their bases. Bill black; tarsi
and toes fleshy brown.

Total length 7 inches ; wing 4#, tail 12, tarsus 2, bill 14.
Hab. Island of Mysore, in the north of Geelvink Bay.
The figures are of the size of life.