-74 
Sonic Taiuigcrs I liaz'r h'cM. 
the abnormally hard and lengthy frosty snowy s])ell that proves 
the fatal factor, but the mild spell, too often raw and wet, which 
follows same that sends it " West." Vet in most cases the 
individual was in fully as apparent health and vi,i;"our after the 
severe spell as it was at the commencement of same. So 
personally, for my own use at any rate, the whole of the species 
of Callisfc, Cliloro plioiiia, and Iliif^lwula are labelled lialf-hardv . 
1 must also add that with Pana.gers I have never put 
an unfit individual out of doors, even though the weather might 
be tropical when it arrived ! 
With this introduction I will pass in review some of the 
Tanagers I have kept — merely remiirk.iug that, up to time of 
writing, I have only bred one species of Tanagridoc, viz : The 
Black Tanager. 
The Black Tanager (Tachvphonus luclalcucHs). This 
is one of the few species of tanager that is self-coloured. The 
male is shining black, which scintillates forth blue or steel 
coloured reflections according to the play of light — it has a 
white patch on each wing, but this is only seen when the bird 
is in flight. The female is a rich, shining tan-colour. The 
beaks and feet of both sexes are black. 
I found this species perfectly hardy — I had one pair for 
six years; they began to rear young in the second year, and 
they successfully reared young for four years, and doubtless 
would have continued to do so for another year or two, but they 
were sold when my Mitcham aviaries were dismantled in 1916. 
I have told the story of their successful breeding in a back 
volume of Bird Notks, so need not repeat it here. 
I know of no nicer species for a mixed series in a 
wilderness aviary than this species. They are nearly always 
in the picture, and if there is no scarlet, green, or yellow in their 
plumage, they were as striking and handsome as any bird in 
the aviary, e'en tliough there were present Gold-fronted 
pruitsuckers. Yellow-wing Sugarbirds, Himalayan Redstarts, 
Bhie Robins, etc. 
Also I found t^hem amiable, and if they had been murder- 
ously inclined there was plentv of scope for them, for their 
companions included all kinds of waxbills and small finches, nay. 
