BLUE-EARED GRAKLE. 147 
tlie body, -where it gradually changes to a brilliant 
purple blue, glossed with lake or flame colour. The 
ear-feathers- are the same, and their blue colour 
tinges the sides of the neck. The under wing-covers 
and the tail, particularly the base, is of the same 
rich purple as the belly ; the lesser and greater 
wing-coyers hare each a black spot, which in some 
lights seems to have a bright blue one in the middle ; 
bill and feet black. The spots on the wing- covers 
are not seen in immature specimens. The wings 
reach to half the length of the tail, which is short 
and quite even. We have been told this species 
has been named chalybeus in some continental work, 
but we have no means of ascertaining the point; 
and the name, being alike applicable to the whole 
genus, is peculiarly objectionable. 
