The RED-NECKED CALLISTE (_Calliste festiva_), the most prominent member
of this group, is a small bird, five and a half inches long, the wing
measures two and a half inches, and the tail two inches. Its shape
is slender and elegant, the feathers extremely soft and delicate,
and the coloration of the plumage exquisite; the front of the brow,
cheek-stripes, base of the under mandible, chin, and upper part of the
beak, are black; the upper portion of the forehead and small feathers
round the eye, a beautiful greenish blue; the rest of the head is a
brilliant ultramarine. Around the eyes and under the lower mandible runs
a broad line of splendid cinnabar red, which passes over the cheeks,
the region of the ear, sides of the throat and nape. The rest of the
plumage is principally of a bright glossy green, shading into yellow on
the hinder part of the body; the wings are brownish black, the feathers
being edged with a broad green line, and the shoulder marked with a
streak of orange. The feathers of the tail resemble those of the wings,
but are shaded with green; the beak is deep black, the feet slate colour
or reddish brown. The coat of the female resembles that of her mate;
the colours, however, are somewhat paler, and a portion of the back is
spotted with black.
These birds, which are by no means numerous, inhabit the woods upon the
eastern coast of Brazil, and are occasionally found in Guiana. We are
entirely ignorant as to their life and habits.
* * * * *
The CALLOUS-BEAKED TANGARAS (_Ramphocelus_) are recognisable by their
thick high beaks, that have the appearance of being swollen at the
base, while the lower mandible is covered with peculiar coloured
callosities, that extend as far as the angle of the mouth. The edge of
the upper mandible is turned inwards, and its tip bent, presenting a very
perceptible notch. The short wings do not extend as far as the middle of
the tail, which is extremely long and abruptly graduated at the sides.
The legs are small, the tarsi thick, and the claws hooked. The plumage of
the male is much more brilliant and thicker than that of his mate.