Correspondence



45



a glance some of the chief distinguishing characters, while a plate by

Mr. Lodge shows half a dozen species of hawks in flight.



D. S.-S.



CORRESPONDENCE


GREY TANAGERS


Sirs,— Could you tell me whether the Tanager described below is an

Olive Tanager or a Blue Tanager ? The whole plumage except the

wings and tail is lavender grey, the wings and tail are glossy light-

bluish green, the wing coverts are not the same shining blue as in the

Blue Tanager.


Sydney Porter.


[There are several species of the bluish-grey Tanagers which are

closely allied, and it is difficult to say to which the bird referred to

belongs without close inspection. Tanagra episcopus has the lesser

wing-coverts whitish, while these are more bluish in T. collestis, bright

blue in T. ccina and T. cyanoptera, and violet in T. sclateri. — D. S.-S.]



GLOSSY STARLINGS AND OTHERS

Sirs, — I have recently had several small Glossy Starlings

(Lanyrocolius ) which I do not remember possessing before. They are

the smallest I have ever had, and at first, without reference, I thought

they were L. chalcuru-s. As far as one can possibly describe changeable-

hued birds of this kind, the salient features are small size, prevailing

shining golden green plumage, noticeably dork patch surrounding eye

and ear coverts and rump feathers exactly same colour as mantle and

back. The upper appearance of tail rich peacock copper green. Irides

same rich yellow as in the Purple-headed Glossy Starling, L. purpureus,

a bird almost twice as large. They are an interesting change from

L. chalyheus, the so-called Green Glossy Starling. The outline of bill

and head is much more curved in this small species than in L. chalyheus.

I should be glad to know whether my identification is correct, as I am

only able to refer to a B.M.C. and not a set of skins. All aviculturists

must welcome the reappearance of the Red-billed Liothrix on the



