4 FOREIGN FINCHES i\ CAPTIVITY. 



Canary which devoured the beak and part of one wing of one of its 

 own young, and pecked its back : yet no breeder of Finches woiild 

 therefore conclude that raw veal was the natural food for Canaries 

 when breeding, although the deduction would be every whit as reason- 

 able in one case as the other. Consider the matter fairly : 



A particular pair of Scarlet Tanagers, in a large garden aviary, 

 steals and eats the young of Wagtails newly hatched in the same aviary. 

 Ergo All Scarlet Tanagers should be fed on raw bullock's liver or 

 beefsteak. Why? Because, (Don't you understand?), dead ox and 

 newly-hatched squab are, to all intents and purposes, the same thing. 

 No, I am too obtuse to understand that, and what is more I don't 

 believe it, and will not teach such utter nonsense. Somewhat the same 

 line of mental argument must be entered into by the man who recom- 

 mends chopped beef for soft-billed songsters, only the argument is one 

 degree more absurd, because he has to persuade himself that worms or 

 small beetles are identical with biillock in their effect on the health of 

 his pets. 



THE SUPERB TANAGER. 



Cal/istc fastitosa, LESS. 



NO less than five species may possibly be confounded under this 

 name by amateurs. Indeed, I feel tolerably sure that three of 

 these have been exhibited at bird shows under the title of " Superb 

 Tanagers." Of these, I have myself seen one, and that the least like 

 the typical species, (namely, C. f estiva], under this very appropriate, 

 though quite inaccurate denomination. 



The true Superb Tanager has the upper surface of the head and 

 neck of a glittering emerald green colour ; the back velvety black in 

 front, brilliant orange or bright cadmium yellow behind ; the wings 

 and tail black, edged above with purple, blackish below ; the outer 

 secondary feathers brilliant orange ; the lesser wing-coverts emerald 



