VALUE OF COLOR CHARACTERS IN BIRDS. 319 



connection with geographical distribution and especially the study of the ju venal 

 plumages of brilliant tropical birds will result in the accumulation of data which 

 will ultimately prove of the greatest value in throwing light upon the true 

 relationship of the various groups of birds and possibly upon the origin and 

 meaning of the colors themselves. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXVII. 



Illustrating similarity of coloration in species currently placed in different genera 



Fia. 1. Urococcyx erythrognathus (HartL). 



Fig. 2. Merops tricolor Bodd. 



Fig. 3. Rhinococcyx curvirostris (Shaw and Nodder). 



Fig. 4. Melittophagus swinhoii (Hume). 



Fig. 5. Melittophagus cyanostictus Cab. 



Fig. 6. Dryococcyx harringtoni Sharpe. 



Fig. 7. Enicognathus leptorhynchus (King). 



Fig. 8. Ceyx diUwynni Sharpe. 



Fig. 9. Ispidina madagascariensis (Linn.). 



Fig. 10. Microsittace ferrugineus (Mull.). 



