THE PHAON COMET- BLUE-TAILED SYLPH. 389 



now turning and performing numberless other evolutions the 

 eye is unable to follow it, and it is lost to sight, until it again 

 returns to the flower which at first attracted its attention. 



On arriving at its winter abode, it takes up its residence 

 in the shrubberies and gardens of the Indian cottages, says 

 Mr. Bonelli, The hill-side of the neighbouring country, clothed 

 with the indigenous trees and shrubs, also affords it a fit place 

 of abode, whence it descends several times a day to the cul- 

 tivated plains below, particularly to the fields of maize and 

 pulse, and other leguminous plants. The rich flowers of the 

 large cacti are also frequently visited, as they afford it a con- 

 stant and abundant supply of insect food. 



The nest is a somewhat loose structure, outwardly composed 

 of vegetable fibres, slight twigs, and moss, and frequently lined 

 with soft hair. The lower portion is prolonged considerably 

 below the cup-shaped interior, which is about an inch and 

 a half in diameter, and an inch in depth ; the total length of 

 the nest being nearly three inches. The nest is placed against 

 the sides of the walls, supported by any hanging root or twig 

 that may be best adapted to afford it security. The eggs are 

 two jn number, and oblong in form, of a pure white, half an 

 inch in length, by about five-sixteenths of an inch in breadth. 



THE PHAON COMET BLUE-TAILED SYLPH. 



The phaon comet is considerably larger, but very similar 

 to the former, except that the whole of its tail is of a crim- 

 son-red. 



The blue-tailed sylph has a wide range along the temperate 

 regions of the Cordilleras. The genus of sylph to which it, 

 belongs is among the most beautiful and graceful in form 

 of the humming-birds. The body is of a bronzed green, and 



