54 



I am not quite sure whether the green-coloured bird described 

 above is to be considered as the feiuale or immature bird of this 

 species. In nearly all the members of this group the feiiiales pretty 

 closely resemble the male, except in brilliancy of colouring, and it is 

 surprising to find such a diiierence as is above indicated. Otherwise, 

 judging merely from the appearance of the feathers, I should be 

 rather inclined to regard the green-coloured bird as the female. 



The Blue-winged Tanager is not very similar to other birds of this 

 genus, or likely to be confounded with any of them. A pretty species 

 of Dacnis, however, — Dacnis pulcherrima, — which I first described 

 in the 'Eevue et Magasin de Zoologie' for 1853, rather remarkably 

 Tesembles it in general colouring. But these birds belong to two 

 quite different, although, in my opinion, nearly-allied families. Such 

 instances of the recurrence of similar plumage in different groups are 

 not very uncommon. The African Authines of the genus Macrouyx 

 are clothed in nearly the same dress as the American Sturnellce, and 

 that singular Mexican bird Ptilogonys nit ens (see Cassin's ' Illus- 

 trations of the Birds of California ') so closely resem.bles some 

 of the South American Fluvicolince, that it is really difficult to di- 

 stinguish it from them at first sight. 



