THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



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of a resplendent topaz." Chrysolampis, or gold-gleaming, is also very 

 expressive of its appearance. On the head of the male bird, the feath- 

 ers are elongated, and form a short, rounded crest, wliich can be raised 

 or lowered at pleasure. The crest and upper part of the head appear 

 of the most brilliant ruby-red, of a bright coppery lustre, or of a deep, 

 sombre reddish-brown, according to the direction of the light and the 

 observer. The throat and breast appear of the most brilliant topaz- 



FiG. 4. 



Nest of Kuby and Topaz Humming-bird. 



yellow, of a clear golden-green, or of a sombre greenish-brown, under 

 similar circumstances. Jardine says : " It is impossible to convey by 

 words the idea of these tints ; and, having mentioned those substances 

 to which they approach nearest, imagination must be left to conceive 

 the rest." The upper parts of the body are velvety bronze-brown, 

 the tail-coverts having a greenish tinge, and the wings are purple- 

 brown. The broad and expansive tail is of a "rich chestnut-red, 

 tipped with black, and the abdomen is of a dark olive-brown. The 

 female has none of the ruby patches on the head, but retains a little 

 of the topaz on the throat." 



