146 



BLUE-EARED GRAKLE. 



Lamprotornis cyanotis, SWAINS. 



Metallic sea-green ; ears and sides of the neck, blue ; belly 

 and base of the tail-feathers, violet-purple ; lesser and 

 greater wing-covers with a black spot on each ; tail short, 

 even. 



ALTHOUGH less brilliant in its plumage than either 

 of the two preceding, this is nevertheless a very 

 splendid species, readily distinguished from those 

 just described by having the under plumage nearly 

 of the same colour as the upper, and in being much 

 smaller in size. If we may hazard a conjecture 

 where any thing like proof cannot be adduced, we 

 should say that this is more akin to the Merula 

 viridis Angolmus of Brisson than any other we have 

 yet seen; because it is almost entirely green, and 

 the sizes are nearly the same; yet there are still 

 many discrepancies, among the most material of 

 which is the spots on the wings, to which Brisson 

 makes no allusion. 



When held from the light, the spectator being 

 between, the upper plumage is entirely shining 

 green, which only assumes a blue tinge on the rump, 

 upper tail- covers, and shoulder-covers. The same 

 green hue extends from the chin to the middle of 



