THE MALACHITE SUN-BIRD. 205 



and neck, with the forehead and throat in some 

 lights appearing deep black. The feathers on the 

 latter parts are thick and close like the pile of 

 velvet, in which they resemble the structure of 

 the same parts in the Paradise-birds, and which is 

 not frequently met with in the Sun or Humming- 

 birds. We may remark, that in some specimens 

 we have seen a pinkish bronze tint prevailing 

 over nearly the whole upper plumage, but Le 

 Yaillant observes, in his description, that this bronze 

 colour is caused by the stuffs used in preparing 

 the skins, and that in a fresh state it does not 

 appear. This we have had no opportunity of veri- 

 fying. On the back and breast the colours have 

 often the appearance of being waved, from the tips 

 only of the feathers being of the brilliant green, the 

 base being deep black, over which the others lie and 

 partially exhibit the dark tint beneath. The wings 

 and tail are black, the secondaries and covers of 



the former being edged with green and violet ; the 

 latter distinctly margined for two-thirds of their 

 length with the malachite green of the upper parts. 

 From each axilla there springs a lengthened tuft 



