58 
The Black Tanager. 
and some good hotels, and also a very interesting old mission. 
After lunching at a restaurant I walked back to camp along 
the sands. Here about the most striking looking bird was the 
big Brown Pelican {Pelecanufi californicus) . He is not nearly 
so handsome as his AVhite cousin of Buena Vista. Unlike the 
latter, they appear to take their food by diving from the sky 
much in the same way as does our Gannet, but of course making 
a much bigger splash. Amongst the little birds seen were 
the Sanderling (Ca/idris arenaria) in large flocks and the Little 
Ringed Plover {Acgialitis duhia). These last were, I believe, 
breeding, and I spent some considerable time looking for their 
nests, but without success. They are considerably smaller than 
Ae. hiatioola and have less black on the forehead. The next 
two days we spent bathing and fishing, and had very good 
sport. Some of the Calif ornian fish are equal to any lish on 
the table and give very good sport in the water, too. 
{To be Gontinued) 
♦ 
The Black Tanager (Tachyphonus melaleucusj. 
By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., Etc. 
Though Tachyphonus is a plainly clad genus, that is, 
it has no gorgeously hued and richly variegated garment, as 
have so many genera of the TAN AGRIDAE; yet there are few 
Tanagers that are more handsome, either in appearance, con- 
tour or deportment. 
But little space need be occupied with plumage descrip- 
tion. The cock is a rich indigo -black, with pure whitej 
shoulder -patches, the latter almost obscured except when the 
bird is on the wing. The female differs entirely from her 
mate, and is of an even rich hazel -brown (polished tan), duller 
below, but lustrous and silken above, and like her mate is most 
elegant in form. Both are full of character, and their vivacity 
makes them conspicuous objects in the aviary. 
The photos illustrating these notes were taken by Mr. 
Willford in his aviaries four or more years ago, at least it 
was about four years ago when Mr. Willford's birds passed 
into my possession by way of exchange. For comparison 
purposes I lam also including the plate of the nest built in Mr. 
Teschemaker's aviary. 
