PASSERINE BIRDS. 1 53 



flew away, speedily returning with a beakful of food ; this continued till sunset, when it perched for 

 the night upon a neighbouring tree. At break of day its ministrations recommenced in spite of all 

 the enmity testified by its neighbour the Yellow Bird, who tried to drive it from the spot. Several 

 days and nights were spent in this manner, the parent urging the young one by every tender 

 persuasion of which it was capable to leave its prison and accompany her. At last the cage was 

 opened, and the little captive permitted to rejoin its mother, who received it with loud demonstrations 

 of affection and delight. The Tangara is but rarely seen in Europe, and though easily reared upon 

 fruit and seeds, is by no means adapted for domestication. 



Under the name of CALLISTES {Cattiste) we include a considerable number of small birds, 

 somewhat resembling the Siskin and Linnet in appearance, but much more varied and brilliant in their 

 hues. Their beak is comparatively short, high, and slender, its edges compressed, the upper mandible 

 furnished with a horizontal ridge, and the tips slightly bent. The eyelids are surrounded by a circle 

 of small flat feathers ; the wings and tail are of moderate length, the latter slightly forked and covered 

 with small feathers ; the legs are delicate, the tarsus high, and the toes short. The plumage of the 

 Callistes is variegated, the tints on the coat of the male being more distinct and pure than in the 

 female ; the young resemble the parents, but are paler in colour. These birds inhabit the wooded 

 districts of Brazil, and are distinguished from other Tangaras by the fact that they subsist entirely 

 upon various kinds of seed. 



THE RED-NECKED CALLISTE. 



The Red-necked Calliste (Calliste festivd), the most prominent member of this group, is a 

 small bird, five and a half inches long, the wing measures two and a half inches, and the tail two 

 inches. Its shape is slender and elegant, the feathers extremely soft and delicate, and the 

 coloration of the plumage exquisite ; the front of the brow, cheek-stripes, base of the under 

 mandible, chin, and upper part of the beak, are black ; the upper portion of the forehead and small 

 feathers round the eye, a beautiful greenish blue ; the rest of the head is a brilliant ultramarine. 

 Around the eyes and under the lower mandible runs a broad line of splendid cinnabar red, which 

 passes over the cheeks, the region of the ear, sides of the throat and nape. The rest of the plumage 

 is principally of a bright glossy green, shading into yellow on the hinder part of the body; the wings 

 are brownish black, the feathers being edged with a broad green line, and the shoulder marked with a 

 streak of orange. The feathers of the tail resemble those of the wings, but are shaded with green ; 

 the beak is deep black, the feet slate colour or reddish brown. The coat of the female resembles 

 that of her mate ; the colours, however, are somewhat paler, and a portion of the back is spotted 

 with black. 



These birds, which are by no means numerous, inhabit the woods upon the eastern coast of 

 Brazil, and are occasionally found in Guiana. We are entirely ignorant as to their life and habits. 



The CALLOUS-BEAKED TANGARAS (Ramphocehts) are recognisable by their thick high 

 beaks, that have the appearance of being swollen at the base, while the lower mandible is covered 

 with peculiar coloured callosities, that extend as far as the angle of the mouth. The edge of the 

 upper mandible is turned inwards, and its tip bent, presenting a very perceptible notch. The short 

 wings do not extend as far as the middle of the tail, which is extremely long and abruptly 

 graduated at the sides. The legs are small, the tarsi thick, and the '-laws hooked. The plumage 

 of the male is much more brilliant and thicker than that of his mate. 

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