120 HUMMING-BIRDS. 



der at once slippery and vigilant. In none of the 

 descriptions do we find any notice taken of the adap- 

 tation of this structure, and we are yet in the dark 

 regarding the manner in which it is employed. In 

 the two next plates, where the bill presents also a 

 very curious form, we have the edges toothed in a 

 weaker degree, and Mr Swainson is of opinion that 

 the turned up form assists also in procuring some 

 peculiar nourishment. 



This species was discovered in Brasil by MM. 

 Delalande and Naterer, chiefly on the mountains of 

 Coreovado, in the vicinity of Rio Janeiro. It is not 

 generally common in collections, though Lesson says 

 that in Paris many specimens are now to be found. 



The length of the bird, including the bill, is about 

 five inches and a half; the crown, back, and shoulders, 

 are olive green, with metallic reflections, which are 

 much brighter on the shoulders and wing-coverts. 

 The auricular feathers, and a patch extending down 

 the sides of the neck, are of a bright reddish-brown, 

 darker below the eye, and at the tips of the auriculars, 

 where it assists in relieving a streak from the eye, of 

 the same colour, but of a paler tinge. The wings are 

 strong, and with the very powerful shafts, are of a rich 

 purplish brown. The tail is very much rounded ; the 

 centre feathers, and the base of the outer ones, are of 

 the same colour with the wings, and the tips of the 

 outer feathers are of a pale yellowish brown, the pale 

 colour covering the tip only of those next the centre, 

 gradually extending in length upon those on the out 



