area of yellow on the wings. These birds are also smaller, so it seems that size decreases from north to south of the range. The range in Central America extends to Costa Rica and that of the nominate race is variously described as commencing in Costa Rica or Panama. Although it is stated that further study is needed to determine to which sub-species the Costa Rican birds belong, they look like cyanoptera.


42 BIRD SCENE


I want to draw the attention of


aviculturists to the fact that trying to keep cyanoptera separate from the nominate race is of the utmost importance. This Central American form is declining so fast in the small countries in which it occurs that it is in serious danger of extinction. It is already extinct in some parts of its range. For breeders to pair together the two different forms could only be described as irresponsible. However, not all aviculturists are well


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