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[[underline]] Cyanerpes, [[/underline]] Mar. 9, 1958, IV (62)

Saugre do Toros too, to a less extent). (It has become obvious, ever since I had captive Shinings, that this species is quite as prone to visit as any other; but it is also obvious that this visiting is as little the result of general gregariousness as it is in the case of the Greens).

     The great problem in determining the relationships of the genus [[underline]] Cyanerpes [[/underline]] as a whole is, of course, the obvious resemblances between [[underline]] lucidus [[/underline]] and [[underline]] chlorophanes [[/underline]] and [[underline]] Tangara [[/underline]] on the one hand, and between [[underline]] cyaneus [[/underline]] and [[underline]] Rhamphocelus [[/underline]] on the other. The whole group of genera may be linked together by something like [[underline]] Thraupis. [[/underline]]

     One wonders which (if either) is the more primitive: the excessive gregariousness of the Blues, or extreme aggressiveness of the Shinings. If the former, then the behavior of the Shinings must be a secondary reversion to the type of social relations characteristic of primitive passerines (this might possibly explain the peculiar nature of the "song" of the captive ♀ Shining). If the latter, then the Blue may be considered another example of the general tendency of the tanagers and tanager-derivatives to form complex societies. It may have followed the same sort of evolutionary development as the Plain Tanagers, but not have progressed so far.

     I might just mention, before I forget, that the Shinings involved in this free-for-all did do some of that irregular and obviously unritualized "bowing" which Blues also do during hostilities. They did alternate their St's with some irregular & variable looking down and from side to side.