BLUE-EARED GRAKLE. 147 



the body, where it gradually changes to a brilliant 

 purple blue, glossed with lake or flame colour. The 

 ear'-feathers are the same, and their blue colour 

 tinges the sides of the neck. The under wing-covers 

 and the tail, particularly the base, is of the same 

 rich purple as the belly; the lesser and greater 

 wing-covers have each a black spot, which in some 

 lights seems to have a bright blue one in the middle ; 

 bill and feet black. The spots on the wing- covers 

 are not seen in immature specimens. The wings 

 reach to half the length of the tail, which is short 

 and quite even. We have been told this species 

 has been named chalyleus in some continental work, 

 but we have no means of ascertaining the point; 

 and the name, being alike applicable to the whole 

 genus 3 is peculiarly objectionable. 



