Pitta

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pitta \Pit"ta\ (p[i^]t"t[.a]), n. (Zool.)
     Any one of a large group of bright-colored clamatorial birds
     belonging to {Pitta}, and allied genera of the family
     {Pittid[ae]}. Most of the species are varied with three or
     more colors, such as blue, green, crimson, yellow, purple,
     and black. They are called also {ground thrushes}, and {Old


     World ant thrushes}; but they are not related to the true
     thrushes.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The pittas are most abundant in the East Indies, but
           some inhabit Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. They
           live mostly upon the ground, and feed upon insects of
           various kinds.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pitta
       n : any bird of the genus Pitta; brilliantly colored chiefly
           terrestrial birds with short wings and tail and stout
           bills