42 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



The little Bank-Martin disappears immediately 

 after the Purple Martins* Many stragglers continue 

 to be seen after the departure of the main body ; but 

 before the middle of March not one remains, the 

 migration of this species being very regular* 



WHITE-CAPPED TANAGER 



Stephanophorus leucocephalus 



Uniform deep blue ; cap silvery white with a small crimson crest 

 above the forehead ; length 7 inches. Female less bright. 



THIS beautiful bird is one of the three species of 

 Tanager which range south as far as Buenos Ayres. 

 The Tanagers are, however, a numerous family 

 (Tanagridx), numbering about 400 species, mostly 

 restricted to the forest-clad regions of Central and 

 South America, between the tropics. They are an 

 American family nearly related to the Finches, and 

 the relationship is so close in at least one genus as to 

 make it difficult for naturalists to determine its true 

 place whether in the Finch or Tanager family* In 

 form they resemble Buntings and do not vary greatly 

 in sise ; of the greater number it may be said that 

 they are about as big as a Yellow or a Corn Bunting. 

 But in their colouring they have diverged widely 

 from their relations the family they spring from as 

 we must suppose. There are many bright-coloured 

 Finches, but with a few rare exceptions they do not 



