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IYER SIT Y 



GOLDEN-EARED GRAKLE. 



Lamprotornis clirysonotis, SWAINS. 

 PLATE VI. 



Above, glossy green ; beneath, purple ; middle of the belly 

 and spot on the ear, golden ; lesser quills and tail with a 

 broad velvet-like black band. 



No description or delineation can give an adequate 

 idea of the splendid metallic richness of the varied 

 plumage of this magnificent and very rare species, 

 which moreover appears to be entirely new to 

 science. Two specimens came over from Western 

 Africa, the first of which was secured for the use of 

 this work. Our figure will in some degree assist us 

 in the following description. 



The size is as nearly as possible equal to that of 

 Lamprotornis ptilonorynchus, but as the tail, which 

 extends three inches beyond the wings, is much 

 longer, the bird appears larger: the bill is rather 

 smaller, and the frontal feathers are not more 

 advanced than in the generality of the other species. 

 The ground colour of the upper parts, from the 

 front to the tail-covers, including the wings, is rich 

 metallic yellowish-green, similar to L. ptilonoryn- 

 chus ; but on the lower part of the back, and on the 



