96 niiiO oAi.i.EKV. 



more definite characters the absence or [jrescnce of the serration has 

 been used in grouping the numerous genera, but the classifieatioa of 

 the Humming-birds is extremely difficult, many of the genera being- 

 hard to define and grading imperceptibly into one another. 



The first flight-feather is at times attenuated, as in the genera 

 Atthis (1327), Aghcactis (1310), and others, or the shafts of the quills 

 may be broad and stiffened, as in the Sabre-wings, Sphenoproctus and 

 Canijiylojderus (1292). The shape of the tail, too, varies enormously, but 

 all these differences in structure are best appreciated by a careful study 

 of the comparative preparations exhibited on the tablet iu the Case. 



The small round, or sometimes purse-shaped, nest, generally composed 

 of the down of plants, felted and covered with spiders' webs and soft 

 lichens, is placed on a branch or suspended from a leaf. The eggs are 

 white and one or two in number, and the young when hatched are 

 blind and naked. 



Among tlie more remarkable forms we may draw special attention 

 to the Sword-billed Humming-bird [Docimastes ensiferus) (1298) with an 

 enormously lengthened bill, which enables the bird to probe the long 

 tubular flowers iu search of tiny insects. Euloxen-s (1288) has the bill 

 curved almost in a semicircle, and feeds on spiders which it catches 

 in the crevices of trees and walls. Ludd'ujesia niinibi/is (1309) is one 

 of the rarest and most marvellous memljers of the family on account 

 of its remarkable tail. In the female and young male ten reetrices or 

 tail-feathers are present as usual, but in the adult male there are only 

 four, a very small pair in the middle and a greatly elongate pair or 

 the outside, which cross one another and end in a " racquet." This 

 species was discovered in Northern Peru by a botanist named Matthews 

 in 183G, and the single specimen then procured remained uni(|ue till, 

 in 1881, the locality was rediscovered by M. Stolzmann. A number of 

 specimens have since been brought to Europe. 



Family XIV. Coliid.e. Colies. 



[Case (<:}.] The position of the Colics in the classification of birds has been much 

 discussed, but it is now generally admitted that they should be placed 

 among the Coraciiformes, and in close proximity to the Trogons. 



The family includes only the genus Coliiis (1380-1383), with nine 

 brownish or greyish crested species, all of which are natives of Africa, 

 where they are known as Mouse-birds on account of their creeping habits. 

 The plumage of the sexes is similar. All four toes are directed forwards, 

 but the first can be turned backwards at will. They are all fruit- 

 eaters, and live in small bands among the thick bushes, where they 

 climb and creep about among the branches, the bill being used to aid 



