MANY-COLOURED TYRANT 173 



MANY-COLOURED TYRANT 



Cyanotis azarx 



Above dark bronzy green ; head black ; superciliaries yellow ; 

 vertical spot crimson ; wings black ; broad tips of the lesser wing- 

 coverts and broad edgings of some of the secondaries white, forming 

 a large white bar on the wing ; tail black, greater part of outer pair 

 of rectrices and outer web and broad tip of next pair and narrow tips 

 of third pair white ; beneath bright ochreous yellow ; chin whitish ; 

 crissum crimson ; incomplete band across the lower breast black ; 

 under wing-coverts white ; length 4.8 inches. 



THIS charming little bird is variously called by the 

 country people All -coloured or Seven - coloured. 

 Azara calls it " The King " a name which this 

 species deserves, he says, not only on account of 

 the crown of loose feathers on its head, but because 

 it is exceeded by few birds in beauty. It is the most 

 beautiful bird found in Chili, says Gay ; and Dar- 

 win, who is seldom moved to express admiration, 

 calls it " an exquisitely beautiful little bird." There 

 are many species possessing a more brilliant plumage, 

 none with so great a variety of distinct colours ; for 

 on its minute body, which is less than that of the 

 House-Wren, are seen black, white, green, blue, 

 orange, yellow, and scarlet ; and all these hues are 

 disposed and contrasted in such a manner as to 

 produce a very pleasing effect the olive-green and 

 delicate yellow predominating, while the vivid scarlet 

 is a mere spot, like the bright gem or ornament which 

 serves to set off and enhance the beauty of the dress. 

 The whole under plumage is pure lovely yellow, 



