156 



THE SCARLET DREPANIS. 



following bold and striking manner. The crest is of a brilliant verditer-blue, possessing a metal- 

 lic splendor, and almost flashing with emerald rays when placed in a strong light. A black 

 velvet-like patch of feathers is placed on the back of the head and neck, affording the most 

 decided contrast with the light plumage of the crest. Another but larger patch of the same 

 deep hue occurs upon the shoulder, the wings are also black, and a black streak is drawn from 

 the angle of the mouth towards the back of the neck. With these exceptions, the whole of 

 the body is a bright azure. 



This species is an inhabitant of Cayenne, Guiana, and the neighboring localities. It is a 

 little bird, hardly larger than a common sparrow. 



The Azure Csereba may generally be found upon the various flowering trees and shrubs of 

 its native land, where it occupies its time in a perpetual search after the tiny insects that con- 

 ceal themselves within 

 the newly-opened blos- 

 soms. 



In its nesting and 

 in other parts of its 

 economy it is a most 

 singular bird. The nest 

 is of the pensile order, 

 being neatly woven up- 

 on the extremity of 

 some slender twig, 

 which sways to and fro 

 even with the trifling 

 weight of the mother 

 and her tiny brood, and 

 will in nowise bear the 

 heavy bodies of the va- 

 rious snakes and lizards 

 that abound among the 

 branches of the tiees, 

 and keep up a relent- 

 less persecution of 

 young nestlings and 



eggs. The shape of the nest is not unlike that of a large ' ' jargonelle ' ' pear, the lower extremity 

 being produced into a long tube with the mouth below, and the eggs placed in a large rounded 

 portion of the nest. No predaceous reptile could venture itself into so formidable a strong- 

 hold, and any noxious insect that might make its way through the tunnel would soon be 

 snapped up by the watchful parent. The substance of the nest is composed of very slender 

 grasses and fibres, and the entire structure is put together with a delicate firmness that human 

 fingers would strive in vain to imitate. 



It is said, upon very good authority, that the young of the Azure Csereba are blind when 

 they emerge from the egg-shell, and that they do not attain the full power of vision until they 

 are able to fly and to get their own living. 



THE SCAKLET DKEPANIS is well worthy of notice, not only on account of the position 

 which it holds in the present system of ornithology, but by reason of the extreme value which 

 is set upon it, and upon other species of the same genus, by the natives of the country where 

 it dwells. 



The color of this bird is, as it name implies, scarlet upon the greater part of its plumage, 

 the wings and tail being black, so that the two contrasting tints have a remarkably good 

 effect. It is an inhabitant of the Sandwich Islands, and is in very great favor with the 

 natives, who employ its plumage in the manufacture of those wonderful feather mantles and 

 helmets which cannot but excite the wonder of all who ponder upon the singular amount of 



AZURE C^EBEBA. C'aieba cyanmt. 



