GENEBA AND SPECIES. 157 



the Trochilidae yet discovered. It is somewhat 

 larger than Tr. Pella, but of precisely the same 

 form. It far exceeds this fine species in the 

 brilliancy of its colouring, and is at once distin- 

 guished from it by the fiery lustre of its body, 

 and the purplish colouring of its tail feathers." 



Habitat. Rio Negro, Brazil. Both species 

 in Gould's cabinet. 



These birds are very powerful on the wing, 

 and are said to frequent streams, rivers, and 

 water-courses, over which they dash along in 

 pursuit of insects, and doubtless the elongated 

 tail-feathers have a decided influence as respects 

 the address and suddenness of their aerial turn- 

 ings and evolutions. The Tr. pyra, darting 

 along in full sunshine on the wing must appear 

 like a dazzling meteor, rapid and abrupt in its 

 tortuous course. 



With respect to the peculiar habits of these 

 two resplendent birds, little is known, except, 

 according to the information we have received, 

 that Tr. Pella is a lover of solitude, shrouding 

 its beauty in the gloomy recesses of forests. Its 

 seasons of activity are the dawn of morning and 

 the approach of evening twilight. During these 

 hours it is actively engaged in quest of food, 

 darting through the glades, and along the borders 

 of streams with wonderful velocity. At the same 

 time we suspect, that, secluded in the umbrageous 

 forest from observation, it is busily employed 

 even during the hours of sunshine, only that it 



