or observed in the Republic of Honduras, i^c. 117 



33. Small Green-and-white Kingfisher. [Ceryle ame- 

 ricana.) 



Is about the size of our English Kingfisher. I saw several of 

 them at the Lake of Yojoa. ■ 



34. Flat-billed Motmot. {Prionirhynchus carinatus.) 

 The only bird of this species I saw was in the densest part of 



the forest between Taulevi and the Lake of Yojoa. It was 

 sitting on a low branch of brushwood beneath some lofty Maho- 

 gany trees. I had some ditficulty in shooting it without running 

 the risk of entirely destroying the plumage. This I found to 

 be a very common occurrence ; for the forest is so dense that 

 often one cannot see birds unless close to them, and they are 

 so tame that they do not care to move. The difficulty consists 

 usually, not in approaching birds, but in getting sufficiently 

 distant from them to shoot, and at the same time keeping them 

 in sight. 



I have every reason to remember this bird ; for I skinned it 

 by the roadside, on the saddle of my mule, being subject to 

 the attacks of myriads of mosquitoes — so much so that I was 

 several times on the point of throwing it away. As it is the 

 only example known of the species, besides one at Brussels, I 

 am glad I did not carry my intention into effect. I saw no 

 other Momotidce in Honduras ; but Mr. Edwards obtained near 

 Comayagua the Azurc-browcd Motmot [Eumomota superciliaris) 

 and the Blue-naped jNlotmot [Momutuslessoni). He found them 

 plentiful, and on one occasion saw seven sitting together on the 

 same bough. 



35. Graceful Trogon. {Trogon elegans.) 



I saw several of these birds in the forest on the plain of Co- 

 mayagua, and have no reason to suppose that they are otherwise 

 than common. 



36. Black-headed Trogon. {Trogon melanocephalus.) 

 This Trogon was common in Tigre Island. I also obtained 



it near Taulevi. Trogons are very difficult birds to skin, their 

 skins being as tender as damp tissue-paper, and their feathers 

 dropping off at the slightest touch, even as they fall to the 

 ground. These birds are usually seen sitting motionless on the 



