Mexican or Green Jay (Xanthura luxuosa) : One of the finest of 

 this handsome group, scarcely one of which merit the designation plain, 

 but this is a bold, handsome and really beautiful species. The general body 

 colouring is green, with centre of abdomen yellow; the outer tail feathers 

 are also partially yellow ; the head is variegated with black and blue. 

 Hab , Southern Texas and Mexico. It does not appear to have been re- 

 presented in the Gardens since 1877. 



DksmarhsT's Grken Tanager {Callisle desmaiesti) : A rare and 

 beautiful species from Northern Venezuela and Trinidad. Adult male: 

 Rich shining grass-green ; head, rich glossy chestnut ; wings and tail 

 blackish, broadly margined with bright green ; beak, legs and feet, dark 

 brown. Total length 4f inches, tail if inches. New to the Collection. 



Blue-winged Tanagkr [Callisle cyanoptera). An exceedingly 

 beautiful species from Venezuela. Adult male: Head, neck, sides of face, 

 chin, throat and upper breast black, with violaceous reflections; wings 

 and tail deep bluish-black, edged with blue; remainder of upper and under 

 parts golden straw colour, suffused with light green on sides of breast and 

 lower back; upper tail-coverts, light green; beak, black; legs and feet, 

 brownish-black. Total length 5! inches, tail 2 inches. In general appear- 

 ance this species bears a close resemblance to the Sugar Birds (Dacnis) ; it 

 is however a little larger and more stoutly built. Hab., Venezuela. 



Scarlet Cardinal (Cardinalis phazuiceus). This species far sur- 

 passes the well-known and beautiful Virginian Cardinal for brilliancy of 

 plumage. It has a truly regal appearance, being nearly as rich in colour as 

 the Scarlet Tanager. The Rev. H. D. Astley has possessed this species, but 

 if I remember rightly it was while he was staying in Italy some few years 

 ago, and I do not think his two specimens lived long enough to accompany 

 him to this country: thus it would appear that this specimen is not merely 

 neiv to the Collection, but the first imported to this country. 



These two presentations form an interesting addition to the series 

 of rare birds at the Zoo, and to those interested in such, an observant 

 examination of same occupies a good portion of time. Lack of space pre- 

 vents notice of many of the fine species included therein ; however many of 

 them have alreadv been described in back issues of Bird Notes. 



Chestnut-backed Tanager (Callisle pre/iosa): While on the sub- 

 ject of rare Tanagers, it may be well to briefly note one of which I have never 

 seen a living specimen, and which I do not think has been imported to this 

 country. It is a native of Southern Brazil ami in my opinion one of the 

 most beautiful of this gorgeous genus. Adult male: Head and neck to 

 middle of back, rich coppery-chestnut, with a golden sheen on the crown 

 and ear-coverts ; lower back and wing coverts, rich ochraceous tinged with 

 green ; wing and tail black, edged with bluish ; under parts grass-green, 



