Hi.
The following text is quoted from John Ray's ("Joannis Raii") 1713
"Synopsis Methodica Avium & Piscium", based on descriptions of some
birds around Madras by an Edward Buckley.
12. Pica Indica vulgaris: Ponnunky pitta; Gent. Ponnandur[c?]y;
Maderaspatanensibus: The MADRASS-JAY. Fig. 10. Nostrati Picae
glandariae affinis est Linea arcuata albida supra oculos. Alarum
tegetes virescunt, Scapis flavescentibus: juxta basin alarum
macula coerulea: Remiges & Cauda nigrescunt: Uropygium coeruleo
maculatur: inter femora usque ad caudam rubescit.
Now, I understand broadly what this means. Linea arcuata albida supra
oculos is a curved white line above the eye, macula coerulea is a blue
spot (on the wing), inter femora usque ad caudam rubescit approximately
means "red from the thighs to the tail", etc. The bird in question is
the Indian Pitta /Pitta brachyura/, named ponnangi pitta in Telugu,
and the description matches it pretty well.
Still, I'd be grateful if someone who understands Latin better than I
could help me translate this properly (and if they do, I'm likely to
immediately abuse their goodwill by posting other descriptions ;-).
-- ams
