104 



TENUIROSTRES. 



SUB-FAMILY IT. 

 Trochilin.e. The Curved-hilled Humming -birds. 



Gejt. Chaeac. — Bill more or less long, slender, and curved, the lateral margins 

 usually dilated and overlapping the lower mandible ; the nostrils basal, the 

 opening covered with a large scale, which is sometimes entirely concealed 

 by the projecting plumes; wings long and pointed; tail more or less long, 

 and of various forms ; tarsi very short ; toes long and slender, with the 

 lateral ones united at their base, the hind toe long, and armed with a more 

 or less lengthened claw. 



^''Mt''^ 



Fig. 40. — the eagle humming-bird. 



(Polytmus aqiiila.) 



Tlie Humming-birds belonging to tliis sub-family 

 are inhabitants of tlie central and warmer regions of 

 America and of the West Indies ; one of tlie prettiest, 



The Topaz HTimming-"bird {Topaza pella), is an 

 inhabitant of the low districts of Cayenne, Trinidad, and 

 Surinam, and also of the countries bordering the lower 

 Amazon. The male measui-es about six inches in length, 

 exclusive of a pair of elongated tail-feathers that are 

 wanting in tlie female, which is also smaller than her 



