COTINGA, ko-tett'ga, or CHATTERER (native South American). A bird of the family Cotin githe, allied to the waxwings and manakins. Co tingas are numerous, both in species and indi vidual4:, inhabit tropical America exclusively. feeding on insects and fruit, and are remarkable for the splendor of the nuptial plumage worn by the males in ninny cases, or for eccentricities of ornament. TIm bell-bird and unbrella-bird, else where described, are cotingas exemplifying such peculiarities, and the cocks-of-the-rock are in cluded by some systemists. They have been spe cially studied by Dr. Leonard Stejneger, who refers to the group as follows in the Standard Natural History, vol. iv. (Boston, 1885) : "The greater number of the species of eotinga are plain-colored, gray, rufous, or greenish . . . though even among these rather modest forms there are some which are more or less highly adorned. Among these is the rose-breasted 'fly catcher' (FIndrostorn us Aglaia.). with a beautiful crimson rosy patch on the breast, which just enters our fauna across the southern frontier. Nevertheless, the cotingas are, generally consid ered, especially bright-colored and curiously adorned birds. . . . From Central America
we have the exquisite Carpodectes, white all over, with a delicate tinge of bluish-gray washed over the upper surface; from Guiana to Brazil are found the deep purplish-carmine Xipholmna, with white remiges, and the great wing-coverts singularly lengthened, narrow and stiffened, like a woodpecker's tail-feathers; the glorious cotin ga, shining azure-blue. with purple throat, from the same countries: the greenish, fork-tailed Phi balura from Brazil; and the small, pipra-like Iodopleura, curious on account of the rare lilac color of the sides of the body hidden under the wings." Of all these the females are plainly colored, mostly gray, and are therefore incon spicuous when making their nests or brooding— an important precaution against the extinction of the race: and the gaudy hues of the males are molted to a great extent during the off-season, when their dress is much plainer than in the season of courtship. None of these birds are notable as singers, though several utter loud and singular cries. See Plate of COTINGAS.