All rights reserved']. [September 190S. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



Zbe Black-cbeefceD ov Xesser 

 IRufous-beafceD £anacjer. 



(Calliste cayaua) 

 By O. Miixsum. 



I have received a command from our esteemed editor for a 

 few remarks on the beautiful Tanager (Calliste caya?id), of which 

 a coloured plate accompanies this article, and of which I am the 

 proud possessor. It was formerly in our editor's possession, 

 indeed the credit of getting it through its first moult in this 

 country belongs to him. 



Possessing a name which is apt to mislead one, i.e. — the 

 Black-cheeked Tanager, one which I cannot appreciate, as I prefer 

 the better suited name given to this species by Sclater, that of the 

 L,esser Rufous-headed Tanager, one is inclined to expect a 

 sombre bird of the black species, perhaps with a little colouring. 

 But to my surprise when seeing this gem to which this 

 name has been given, it is beautiful beyond description, at least 

 that was my impression. To this bird nature has been very 

 lavish with her gifts. The wondrous blending of colouring, so 

 rich, so chaste, so bright, flashing in the light and appearing to 

 change with every movement of the bird, yet withal so superbly 

 graduated that there is nothing to offend the most fastidious. 

 This bird is the Sultan amongst my birds, the ewe lamb of my 

 collection, and yet, strange to say has never caused me a 

 moment's anxiety. 



Always healthy, although extremely frugal in its wants, it 

 is easily catered for. My own mixture of soft food, fruit and a 

 few mealworms, is its daily diet, exactly the same as the remain- 

 der of my soft-bills feed upon. Readers may feel inclined to 

 think that the Calliste cay ana is better looked after and has more 



