[47] The pittas are known to some authors as “ant thrushes” but the latter name belongs properly to certain members of the South American family Formicariidæ. The name “ground thrush” appears to have greater validity as the English name for the Pittidæ, but the use of the name “thrush” in connection with this family is misleading and unnecessary. [↑]
[48] See also the remarks on Pitta propinqua under the next preceding species. [↑]
[49] Cf. Pitta rothschildi, page 420. [↑]
[50] Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d. ser. Zool. (1877), 1, 331. [↑]
[51] The validity of this species appears to me very doubtful; the original description follows:
“Völlig abweichend aber präsentiert sich ein anscheinend männliches stück aus Marinduque (Philippinen), dessen Unterseite derartig stark mit Blau übertönt erscheint, dass von der grünen Farbe kaum noch eine Spur sichtbar bleibt. Das Weiss der Flügels in den Schwingen erscheint bei diesem interessanten Vogel, der zudem stärker ist wie die beiden anderen Philippiner, in ganz exzessivem Masse entwiekelt; der Brustfleck dagegen ist relativ klein. Das Kolorit des Steissgefieders ist in prächtiges Karsisinrot (nicht Zinnoberrot).” (Parrot.) [↑]
[52] Some species of the swallow family are known to European authors as sand martins, while other species are called house martins, but as, in the United States, the name martin is closely associated with the genus Progne, I prefer to retain the name swallow for all the species of Hirundinidæ known from the Philippine Islands. [↑]
[53] Sharpe, Hand-List (1901), 3, 204, recognizes H. fuliginosa as distinct from H. sibirica and gives Palawan as one of its localities. A flycatcher collected by Platen in Palawan is recorded by Blasius as H. sibirica and I have met with no reference to H. fuliginosa from that Island except as given by Sharpe. [↑]
[54] The islands of Bongao and Sulu are given here on the authority of Sharpe’s Hand-List. [↑]