304 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



in the former, which in additioti possesses a brilliantly metallic gorget 

 of imbricated or scale-like feathers, the throat of Bellona being clothed 



Fig. 41. — Double crest of Aithurus polytmns. 



Fig. 42.— Double crest of Eeliactin cormUa. 



with a blended and somber colored plumage. In Bellona the crest is 

 glittering green, sometimes passing into blue at the tip, or even for the 

 terminal half; in Chrysolampis the crest is ruby-red, the throat golden- 

 orange or topaz. 



Fig. 43.— Vertical]view of crest of Chrysolampis 

 moschitus, (f . 



Fig. 44. — Vertical view of crest of Bellona cris- 

 tata, (f. 



The genus CepJiallepis has a much lengtheuetl, narrow, pointed, and 

 slightly recurved crest, closely resembling that of the Lapwing Plover 

 ( Vanellns vaneUns). That of Oxypofjon (see Fig. 38, p. 303) is somewhat 

 similar. All of the species of the genus Lophornis, embracing the ex- 



FiG. i5.—Cep}iaUepis dclalandi, cf. 



Fig. 4C. — Lophornis ornatus, cT. 



quisitely ornamented, bespangled, frilled, and otherwise decorated "Co- 

 quette" Humming Birds possess crests in addition to their other orna- 

 ments, which vary in their character with the species; but here the 

 subject becomes so intricate that to pursue it further would require far 

 more space than can here be afforded, besides perhaps proving tire- 

 some to the reader. The subject should not be dismissed, however, 

 without calling attention to a very elegant adornment ot several genera 

 in the shape of " muffs " or " puffs " of the most delicate j)ossible cot- 

 tony down clothing the legs and ahnost hiding the dainty feel. These 



