HISTORY OF THE HUMMING BIRD. 31 



are generally found at mid-day, enjoying the flowers of a 

 scarlet loranthus, which abounded with a honied juice. 

 This species is about four inches in length, and in form, is 

 stronger than many of its congeners, and the shafts of the 

 quills are of more than ordinary strength. The crown is 

 adorned with violet plumes, forming a sort of cowl, and 

 lengthened towards the occiput. The upper parts of the 

 body are of a golden green, which also tinges the wings 

 and tail; the throat is white; the plumage composed of 

 scaly feathers each marked in the centre with an oval 

 brownish spot; the breast and belly are reddish-white; 

 the tail and wings brown, with violet reflections. 



DOUBLE CRESTED HUMMING BIRD. 



The discovery of this most splendid species is due to the 

 Prince Maximilian de Wied-Neuweied, who described 

 it in his voyage to Brazil. This bird is from three to four 

 inches in length, of which the tail alone measures nearly 

 one-half; the bill and feet remarkably slender, and the for- 

 mer slightly bent, terminating in a very fine point. The 

 most characteristic mark of this species is the two flattened 

 crests, composed of six feathers, which divide in front of 

 the head, on a level with the eyes, and are directed for- 

 wards. 



The colors of the tufts or horns, certainly baffle descrip- 

 tion, and the idea can only be conveyed by likAing them 

 to some familiar object, such as the bright and changing 

 hues of steel, and other metals, or the sparkling tints of 

 precious stones. The centre of the forehead between the 

 tufts is cornered with scaly feathers, of a brilliant green 

 and blue reflections. A gorget of deep and rich purple 

 composed of lengthened feathers, reaches from behind the 

 eyes upon the breast ; the breast and upper part of the belly 

 is of the purest white, and crosses the lower sides of the 

 neck, nearty meeting on the back, and forms a beautiful 



