18 THE NATURALIST. 



ulars there is a small, nearly circular patch of clear white, which forms a conspic- 

 uous object ; the fore-part of the throat, breast, and belly, are rich azure blue, surround- 

 ed with gray ; the head, back, flanks, and wing coverts, bright and shining green j the 

 vent and flanks are gray ; the wings are brownish purple ; the centre feathers of the 

 tail of the color of the upper parts j the remaining feathers are dull blue, and the 

 outer feathers have a conspicuous spot of clear white at the extremities. 

 See Plate, No. 5. 



TROCHILUS CORNUTUS. 



DOUBLE-CRESTED HUMMING-BIRD. 



This humming-bird is about four inches in length, of which the tail alone measures 

 nearly the half; the bill and feet are remarkably slender, the former slightly bent, 

 terminating in a very fine point. The most characteristic mark of this species is the 

 two flattened crests, composed of six feathers, which divide in front of the head, on 

 a level with the eyes, and are directed forwards. 



The colors of these tufts certainly baffle description, and an idea can only be con- 

 veyed by likening them to some familiar object, such as the bright and changing hues 

 of steel, and other metals, or the sparkling tints of precious stones j the entire of the 

 forehead between the tufts is covered with scaly feathers, of brilliant green and blue 

 reflections. A gorget of deep and rich purple, composed of lengthened feathers, 

 reaches from behind the eyes, upon the breast j the breast and upper parts of the belly 

 are of the purest white ; the same color crosses the lower sides of the neck, nearly 

 meeting on the back, and forms a beautiful contrast to the deep colored and deli- 

 cately formed feathers of the gorget j the belly and vent are of the same green with 

 the upper parts j the wings are brown ; the tail is strongly wedge-shaped j the two 

 centre feathers brown j the others pure white. See Plate, No. 6. 



TROCHILUS MAGNIFICUS. 



MAGNIFICENT HUMMING-BIRD. 



The adult male has the neck adorned with beautiful plumulets of snowy white, 

 relieved by a black or very dark olive-green band on the tip of each. These 

 tufts are also far different, the feathers are much shorter and broader, and scarce- 

 ly present so stiff an appearance, as those of its congeners, while the ruff extends 

 nearly round like a gorget in front. In the young males neither the crest nor ruff 

 appears ; the crown of the head is of a dull yellowish red, changing into a darker and 

 grayer shade towards the hind head, which runs in a line from the eye to the shoulders ; 

 the upper parts are of a rich green, and are separated by the above mentioned line 

 from the lower region of the body, which is of a grayish white, tinged with rufous on 

 the throat and breast, and entirely devoid of the brilliant scaly plumes occupying the 

 throat of the adult. It is a native of Brazil. 



See Plate, No. 7, 



