204 THE YELLOW-BELLIED GROSBEAK. 



and the tail two inches. The beak is strong and dark brown ; 

 the feet black. A black stripe surrounds the chin, and extends 

 as far as the eyes. The whole of the plumage is dark blue, 

 except the larger wing coverts, the pen feathers, and middle 

 tail feathers, which are dark brown. A few red spots are 

 visible on the shoulders ; and the under sides of the wings and 

 tail incline to green. 



The female is brown, with a very slight tinge of blue. 



Observations. I have seen this bird, which is a native of 

 Carolina, Brazil, and Cayenne, in the possession of the Duke 

 of Saxe Meiningen. It is fed with canary seed. Its song is 

 weak, and its cry but rarely heard. 



81. THE AZURE-BLUE GROSBEAK. 

 Loxia Cyanea, LIN. Der Lazurblauer Kembeisser, BECH. 



Description. This bird is generally regarded as only a 

 variety of the last mentioned, but I have seen the two together, 

 and have a strong opinion that they are different. The Azure- 

 blue Grosbeak is rather the smaller. The beak is lead colour ; 

 the iris nut brown ; the feet blackish. The plumage is dark 

 azure-blue ; the pen and tail feathers blackish, edged with blue. 

 The wing coverts, as well as several feathers upon the breast, 

 have a border of golden yellow ; the shank and vent feathers 

 are edged with white. 



Observations. This very handsome bird is a native of An- 

 gola, and may long be preserved in health on hemp and canary 

 seed, and crushed oats. Its song is weak but pleasant, and re- 

 sembles that of the Siskin. It is always lively, and becomes 

 so tame as to eat out of the hand. 



82. THE YELLOW-BELLIED GROSBEAK. 



Loxia Flaviventris, LTN. Grosbec Jaune du Cap de bonne Esperance,BuF. 

 Der Gelbafterige Kernbeisser, BECH. 



Description. I have seen this bird in the collection of the 

 Duke of Saxe Meiningen, but cannot certainly identify it with 

 the Loxia Flaviventris of LINNAEUS. It is about the size of a 

 common Chaffinch, and five inches in length. The beak is 

 horn brown, moderately thick, and resembling in shape that 

 of the Finch tribe. The feet are dark brown. The head and 

 neck are a dull light blue ; the whole upper part of the body 

 olive green ; the breast, as far as the vent, orange. 



