124 DOMICELLA COCCINEA. 



on the head blue. It is quite erroneous to consider the specimens with less blue 

 to be younger birds ; on the contrary, it is in the highest degree probable 

 that these are very old individuals. 



" Very remarkable is the coloration of two males, which I take, without 

 hesitation, as young birds. The black of the back and of the wings is more 

 extended ; the small upper wing-coverts have black patches on their tips ; 

 the red feathers of the underparts are irregularly spotted with dirty violet ; 

 the band of the breast is also of the last colour. The whole upper part of 

 the head and the neck are violet-blue ; on the front and in the neck the tips 

 of the feathers already begin to change into red. Vice versa, the upper part 

 of the back is carmine-red, and changes into violet. Uropygium dark 

 carmine-red (brownish red in the old ones). Bill of a light brownish horn- 

 colour (yellow in the old ones). 



" It appears that blue juvenile dresses occur in all red species of 

 Lorius (Eos group). They are known already for L. ruher (as L. squamatus^, 

 L. cyanogenys, and L. riciniatus. But that at the same time the blue of the 

 old bird is represented by red in the young ones, is, as far as I am aware, 

 nut yet observed ; and it is a fact which can be placed as an analogous one 

 side by side with that mentioned above under the head of Tanygnathus 

 luzoniensis." 



Under the head of Tanygnathus luzoniensus (L.), Briiggemann says 

 (p. 38) :- 



" From the series in my hands (six specimens), which contains different 

 stages, according to age, it is to be seen that the blue on the head increases 

 in intensity and extent with age ; while the same colour fades away more 

 and more on the uropygium (the feathers being worn out by use), and at last 

 disappears entirely. This remarkable fact can only be understood in this 

 way — that we possess in the juvenile dress a stage of development of the 

 species." 



