PARADISE TANAGER. 
Tanagra Tatao. 
Le Tangara. 
Le Sepxicolor. 
Titmouse of Paradise. 
Paradise Tanager. 
Lin. Syst. i. p. 315. 
Bris. Om. iii. p. 3 . 
Buff. Ois. iv. p. 27 9 . 
Edw. pt. 34 9 . 
Lath. ii. p. 2 3 6. 
This genus of birds, of which there are more than forty species, exclu- 
sive of varieties, are chiefly natives of the New Continent, all that have 
hitherto been received having come from Guiana, and other parts of South 
America. 
They are common in the inhabited parts of Guiana, where they make 
their appearance generally about the middle of September, likewise at 
Cayenne, collecting in great flocks for the purpose of feeding on the tender 
half-formed fruit of a particularly large tree, where they continue about 
six weeks; they then take their departure elsewhere, most probably into the 
interior part of the country, to seek the same food, for they do not prefer 
any other; and wherever the trees are in bloom, these birds are certainly 
to be met with, and return again in April or May, at which season the 
fruit ripens, 
I he plumage of this most beautiful subject, when arrived at a mature 
state, is variegated with seven colours, the brilliancy of which is beyond 
expression, some males have the splendid red on the rump as well as the 
back; in others the back and rump are entirely of a gold colour, the general 
plumage of the female is less brilliant, and not so distinct as in the male, 
the lower part of the back and rump being of a dull orange. 
ieSC ^hds are kept in cages at the Brazils, and led on meal and bread; 
t..ey neither sing nor warble, but have only a short shrill note. 
. In their mstinctive habits they exceedingly resemble the Sparrow, asso- 
ciating near the dwellings, and being particularly familiar, differing only 
m point of colour, and the upper mandible being slightly ridged and 
notched at the end. 6 6 7 h 
