32 HISTORY OF THE HUMMING BIRD. 



contrast to the deep-colored and delicately formed feathers 

 of the gorget. The under part, is of the same green with 

 the upper part ; the wings are brown ; the tail is strongly 

 wedged-shaped ; the two centre feathers brown ; the oth- 

 ers pure white. 



The female wants the splendid crests which adorn the 

 male, but the other parts of her plumage will scarcely yield 

 in brilliancy. The crown is rich ultra-marine blue, and the 

 dark gorget is distinctly marked ; the tail is of equal length, 

 and with the nuchal collar and under parts are pure white ; 

 the upper part of the head, back and shoulders, are bright 

 golden-green ; the wings are purplish black. 



In the preceeding pages we have endeavored to give a 

 short description of the distinction and economy of this in- 

 teresting family, deriving our information from those sources 

 which we judged were most worthy of credence, and 

 always, when possible from observers who had seen the 

 birds in their wild state, and untrammelled by any *e-' 

 straint. 



