198 GENERA AND SPECIES. 



in the province of Parma, at an eievation of 

 more than 3000 feet. So scarce is this species, 

 that, according to Dr. Tschudi, it was not even 

 known to the Indian hunters of Moyabamba. 

 Upon examining their stomachs they were found 

 to contain the remains of small hymenopterous 

 insects. 



It may be asked, why it is, that, in the species 

 of this genus (and of the next in succession), 

 the males only should have the tarsi enveloped 

 in an exuberance of down. We can only say 

 that it is part and parcel of that law which gives 

 to them the superiority in general splendour of 

 plumage, and with this answer we must rest 

 content. The peafowl and the pheasant are ex- 

 amples in point ; this law, however, is not 

 quite universal* 



Genus EEIOPUS, Gould, 1849. (Festipedes, in 

 part, Lesson.) 



As in Spathura, the birds of thi genus have 

 the tarsi fully muffed, but the tail is short and 

 broad, or but slightly forked. 



Beak moderate, straight ; general colour, 

 metallic-green ; tarsi tufted to the toes with a 

 full muff oT most delicate down, either snow- 

 white, dusky-black, buff, or partly buff and 

 white, shaded into each other; toes small; 

 wings moderate ; but deep at the base ; tail, 

 short and broad. 



