150 cassell's book of birds. 



various plants upon which they feed. Most marvellous tales have been told by early writers of the 

 habits of these destroyers, and although much has been proved to be fabulous, still there can be no 

 question that the damage done by them to the crops in their native land is both extensive and 

 serious, so that they are proportionably dreaded and persecuted by its inhabitants. 



THE RARITA. 



The Rarita, or Rara (Pkytotoma Ram), the most redoubtable species, has been fully described by 

 Molina, who named it from the sound of its cry. Its length is six and a half inches, its breadth eleven 

 inches, the wing measures three and one-third, and the tail two and a quarter inches. The plumage of 

 both sexes is very similar : the upper part of the body is of a dark olive green, each feather having a 

 black shaft and a greenish yellow border ; the lower part of the body is of a paler shade, with the same 

 dark markings along the shafts of the feathers ; the brow is rust colour, becoming darker towards the top 

 of the head ; the throat and lower part of the body yellow ; the feathers on the upper part of the breast 

 and tail are of a rusty red at the upper portion, becoming darker towards the roots ; the wings almost 

 black, edged with two white borders ; the tail-feathers are dark at the tip and on the outer web, and 

 the inner web rust red. The colours of the female are paler and greyer than those of her mate ; the 

 beak and feet a blackish grey, and the eye bright red. D'Orbigny mentions two other species, one 

 of which he has called the Azara, in honour of that naturalist, and the other the Bolivian Plant- 

 mower. 



From the above-mentioned writer we learn that these birds inhabit the temperate zone, and are 

 rarely found beyond such parts of the country as are cultivated by man ; they constantly frequent 

 vineyards, fields, and gardens in company with Habias, doing terrible damage by breaking the plants, 

 cutting off the young shoots, and eating the fruits, continuing this work of destruction throughout the 

 whole year. They are rarely or never seen upon the ground, but fly very low when in search of food, 

 seldom passing any length of time upon the wing. Their cry is extremely disagreeable, resembling 

 the grating sound of a saw. Another author from whom we quote, bears testimony to the terrible 

 mischief wrought by these bold and formidable marauders, who are all the more to be feared as they 

 carry on their devastations in the twilight of the early morning and evening, at which times they are 

 constantly occupied in sawing down young plants close to the ground, working until their beaks 

 are green from the sap that flows from the stalks at which they labour ; indeed, were this species as 

 numerous as other Finches, no field could escape their destructive propensities. The capture of these 

 birds is attended with but little difficulty, as they perch during the day upon trees or fences, and 

 testify but little alarm at the approach of man. The only information we have as to their breeding is 

 that the eggs are white, spotted with red. 



The TANGARAS are a very peculiar and numerous race of Finches, inhabiting America, and 

 distinguished by the variety and beauty of their plumage. In size they resemble our Sparrows ; their 

 beak is always conical, and the upper mandible furnished with a kind of notch near its extremity, 

 which terminates in a slight hook. The wings and tail are of moderate length, and the thick 

 plumage of the male brilliantly dyed with blue, green, or red, intermixed with black and white. 

 The coat of the female is much less brightly coloured. 



The tropics must be regarded as the real habitat of these glowing birds, though we find them 

 spread over the greater part of the American continent ; some species frequenting woods, whilst others 

 prefer to perch nearer the ground, upon low trees or bushes. Despite the great beauty of their 

 plumage, they are by no means favourites in the countries they inhabit, owing to the damage 

 done by them to fields and plantations j indeed, their exquisite colouring is their only merit, as their 



