All rights >ese7ved.'\ [DECEMBER, 1907. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE JOURNAL OF 



THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



ZTwo Managers : 



The Blue {Tanagra episcopus), and the 

 Maroon {Ra7nphoccelus jacapa). 

 By E- W. Harper, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 



Our worthy Editor has requested me to write a 

 .short account of these two species — which have re- 

 cently become known to British aviculturists — to 

 accompany a coloured plate. Although I have not 

 yet had the pleasure of seeing the plate, I feel quite 

 sure that, in the hands of an artist of Mr. Goodchild's 

 ability, full justice will be done to the beauty of the 

 birds. 



Perhaps a few words upon the family Tanagridcs, 

 or Tanagers, may not be out of place. Sclater calls 

 them "dentirostril finches"; and in classification they 

 are generally placed between the Sugar-birds and the 

 Finches. They are arboreal in habits : their mode 

 of leg-progression being by hopping, not walking. 

 Tanagers are confined to the New World, apparently 

 taking the place of the Bulbuls of the Old World. 

 All are largely frugivorous, and more or less insec- 

 tivorous ; though some can crack seed like a Finch. 

 Except the genus Ejiphoiiia — to which the Violet 

 Tanager belongs — they have little to recommend 

 them as songsters : but what they lack in vocal power 

 is atoned for by beauty of colour. 



