FEVIEWS. 7 



very best volumes on this subject. Lastly, in 1849, Mr. Gould commenced 

 the publication of the present series, in parts, each containing fifteen coloured 

 lithographs, with descriptions. The plates in this work are drawn with the 

 greatest accuracy ; we do not recognise in them stuffed specimens, but we 

 could almost fancy we saw the birds themselves fluttering their little wings 

 as they probe into the long corollas of the flowers; these plates stand at the head 

 of ornithological drawings. We cannot but tender our small meed of praise 

 to the author, for his indefatigable patience in publishing so many and such 

 splendid works on this subject. To dwell long on these " coloured repre- 

 sentations" would be useless, as there are few who do not know them ; and 

 all our praises would not excite in our reader's mind that thrill of delight 

 which is experienced in viewing these drawings of the birds themselves ; 

 second only is it, to visiting them in their own lovely paradise. 



We cannot resist the pleasure of giving Mr. Gould's account of the Pano- 

 plites Jardini, so called after our distinguished British ornithologist. 



"Panoplites Jardini. This is one of the most beautiful of the Trochilidse 

 yet discovered. The means at my command are utterly inadequate to 

 give in the plate more than an idea of this exquisite living gem, whose 

 crown, back, shoulders, and chest- sides, are clothed with hues of metallic 

 blue and green, of such resplendent brilliancy that it would be impossible 

 to represent them upon paper ; those, therefore, of my readers who may 

 wish to view them, must seek an opportunity for attentively examining the 

 birds themselves. 



" The native country of this glittering gem is the temperate regions of 

 Ecuador, where, in certain localities, it is tolerably common. It is still, 

 hoAvever, a rare bird in Europe; there are few collections which comprise 

 examples, and none, I believe, so fine as those contained in my own. For 

 these I am indebted to my good friend, Professor Jameson, of Quito at 

 gentleman of high scientific attainments, and who has largely contributed 

 to our knowledge of the zoology and botany of the rich district in 

 which he resides. That he may still have a long life to enjoy, is, I am sure, 

 the sincere wish of all his scientific friends and correspondents; among 

 whom is included one whose name is familiar to every zoologist as that of 

 an ardent lover of natural history, and who has spent the greater part of 

 his life in the promotion of its cause need I add that I allude to Sir 

 William Jardine, Bart., after whom this lovely bird has been named by M. 

 Bourcier, of Paris, as a just tribute to his merits as a naturalist. 



" M. Bourcier, who first brought the species to Europe, states, that the 

 bird inhabits the hot regions of the great forests in the environs of Nane"- 

 gan. In the letter accompanying the specimens transmitted to Professor 



