306 TANAGRIDJE. 



Tanagra cyanoptera ( VieiU.). 



Tanaora cyaBoptera, &cl. Cat. Birds B. M. xi. p. 157 (1886) T^ehrk. 

 Kai. Eiermmml. p. 95 (1899), p. 326 ^1910) ; Tlierinii, Beo. Mies. 

 PauHsta, iv. p. 209 (1900) ; Shm-pe, Hand-l. v. p. 378 (1909). 



Two eggs of the Blue-shouldered Tanager resemble those of 

 T. oniata*, and differ entirely from those of the other species of the 

 genus represented in the Collection. They are pale blue, sparingly 

 marked all over with small, well-defined, roundish spots of very 

 dark purj)lish-black. One example measures -9 by -7. 



2. l!io de .Janeiro. Alexander Fry, Esq. [P.]. 



Tarajra ayaca, Linn. 

 (Piute XIII. figs, 5 & 8.) 



Tanagra sayaca, Evh-r, J.f. O. 1807, p. 410; Scl. Cat. Birds B. M. xi. 

 p. 1.58 (1880): Berlepsch, J.f. O. 1887, pp. 6, 115; Eider, Bev. 

 Mils. Paidistu, iv. p. 20 (1900) ; Iherinq, Bev. Mus. Paidista, iv. 

 pp. 153, 209 (1900) ; Sharps, Hand-l. v. p. 378 (1909) ; Nehrk. Kut. 

 Eiersamml. p. 326 (1910); CJmhb, Ibis, 1910, p. 025. 



Eggs of the Grey-breasted Tanager vary in shape from a very 

 long poir;tod oval to nearly spheroidal. The ground varies from 

 white to creamy- white or greenish-white. In some examples the 

 markings are remarkably like those found in the commonest type 

 of Passer domesticus, the entire shell being thickly clouded and 

 l)lotched with grej'-brown and umber-brown. In others a large 

 part of the ground-colour is visible, the markings, which consist 

 of cloudings, spots and streaks of purplish-grey and dark purplish- 

 brown, being mostly confined to the larger end of the shell. In a 

 third type all the markings are fine and there are no very distinct 

 dark spots or streaks, the larger end of the shell being surrounded 

 by a heavy clouded zone. They vary from "87 to !•! in length, and 

 from '61 to -67 in breadth. 



* Tlie eggs of both this species and T. cyanoptcra presented by Mr. Fry 

 were accompanied by skins of the birds, and there is therefore uo reason to 

 doubt their authenticity. 



