The TAPIRANGA, or TIJÉ (_Ramphocelus Brasilianus_), the only species of
this group to which we shall allude, is seven inches in length, and seven
inches across the wings; the wings and tail each measure three inches.
The female is somewhat smaller. The plumage of the male is thick and
harsh, and of a light blood-red; the wings and tail are brownish black,
becoming lighter as the bird advances in age; the feathers of the upper
wing-covers are bordered with blood-red, the under covers being black,
marked with white, the feet deep brownish grey. The fore part of the back
and throat of the female are of a quiet greyish brown; the breast and
entire lower portion of the body are a light reddish brown, the upper
tail-covers tinged with blood-red, the wings greyish brown, edged with
a paler shade, and the tail-feathers blackish brown. The beak of this
species is without callosities, and the eyes pale red. The young male
and female are alike in colour, but the plumage of the former is of a
somewhat deeper shade, and there is a white skin on the lower mandible.
In both birds the upper tail-covers are blood-red. During the time that
the young are acquiring the red feathers their plumage has the appearance
of being spotted.
The Tapirangas inhabit the Brazils, and there frequent such localities as
are at no great distance from the banks of a river, or from marshy ground
covered with reeds. In their native land these beautiful birds are very
common. Except during the breeding season, their time is passed in flying
about in small flocks, in search of berries and fruit, and they exhibit
a very cunning preference for the finest and more valued kinds, such as
oranges and citrons, to which they do great damage. Young and old are
alike engaged in these foraging parties, and are only distinguishable by
their cry, that of the old bird resembling the twitter of our Sparrows.
In disposition this species is lively and restless, and by no means shy.
The nest, which is placed upon the forked branch of a tree, is deep and
semi-globular in shape, formed of moss, and delicately lined with fibres
or blades of grass. The eggs, two in number, are of a beautiful sky-blue
or apple-green, spotted with brown, and marked with black streaks at the
broad end. The Tijé is unknown in mountainous regions.
* * * * *
The BUTCHER-BIRD TANGARAS (_Lanio_) are also recognisable by the
formation of the beak, which is somewhat elongated; the upper mandible
is hooked at its extremity, and possesses (what constitutes its greatest
peculiarity) a strong tooth-like appendage situated near its apex. The
wings are long, and the tail of moderate length, slightly forked.