The RARITA, or RARA (_Phytotoma Rara_), the most redoubtable species,
has been fully described by Molina, who named it from the sound of its
cry. Its length is six and a half inches, its breadth eleven inches,
the wing measures three and one-third, and the tail two and a quarter
inches. The plumage of both sexes is very similar: the upper part of the
body is of a dark olive green, each feather having a black shaft and a
greenish yellow border; the lower part of the body is of a paler shade,
with the same dark markings along the shafts of the feathers; the brow
is rust colour, becoming darker towards the top of the head; the throat
and lower part of the body yellow; the feathers on the upper part of the
breast and tail are of a rusty red at the upper portion, becoming darker
towards the roots; the wings almost black, edged with two white borders;
the tail-feathers are dark at the tip and on the outer web, and the
inner web rust red. The colours of the female are paler and greyer than
those of her mate; the beak and feet a blackish grey, and the eye bright
red. D'Orbigny mentions two other species, one of which he has called
the AZARA, in honour of that naturalist, and the other the BOLIVIAN
PLANT-MOWER.
From the above-mentioned writer we learn that these birds inhabit the
temperate zone, and are rarely found beyond such parts of the country as
are cultivated by man; they constantly frequent vineyards, fields, and
gardens in company with Habias, doing terrible damage by breaking the
plants, cutting off the young shoots, and eating the fruits, continuing
this work of destruction throughout the whole year. They are rarely or
never seen upon the ground, but fly very low when in search of food,
seldom passing any length of time upon the wing. Their cry is extremely
disagreeable, resembling the grating sound of a saw. Another author from
whom we quote, bears testimony to the terrible mischief wrought by these
bold and formidable marauders, who are all the more to be feared as they
carry on their devastations in the twilight of the early morning and
evening, at which times they are constantly occupied in sawing down young
plants close to the ground, working until their beaks are green from
the sap that flows from the stalks at which they labour; indeed, were
this species as numerous as other Finches, no field could escape their
destructive propensities. The capture of these birds is attended with but
little difficulty, as they perch during the day upon trees or fences, and
testify but little alarm at the approach of man. The only information we
have as to their breeding is that the eggs are white, spotted with red.
* * * * *
The TANGARAS are a very peculiar and numerous race of Finches, inhabiting
America, and distinguished by the variety and beauty of their plumage. In
size they resemble our Sparrows; their beak is always conical, and the
upper mandible furnished with a kind of notch near its extremity, which
terminates in a slight hook. The wings and tail are of moderate length,
and the thick plumage of the male brilliantly dyed with blue, green, or
red, intermixed with black and white. The coat of the female is much less
brightly coloured.
The tropics must be regarded as the real habitat of these glowing
birds, though we find them spread over the greater part of the American
continent; some species frequenting woods, whilst others prefer to perch
nearer the ground, upon low trees or bushes. Despite the great beauty
of their plumage, they are by no means favourites in the countries they
inhabit, owing to the damage done by them to fields and plantations;
indeed, their exquisite colouring is their only merit, as their
disposition is very uninteresting, and they are almost without any kind
of song. Berries and various kinds of fruit constitute their principal
food, many eat insects, and some species subsist entirely upon dry seeds.
* * * * *
As our space only permits us to mention a few of these birds, we will
first select the TANGARAS PROPER, as being the largest of this family.
The beak of the True Tangaras is compressed and slightly bent, conical,
and almost straight at the tip; the wings are pointed, and of moderate
length; the tail is long, and broad at the end, which is somewhat forked,
and of a green or blue colour; the plumage presents but little variety in
species.