AVOSET-BILLEI> HUMMING-BIRD. 123 



species. There is very considerable alliance between 

 them, but it is impossible to decide, without a more 

 extensive examination of specimens than we at present 

 possess ; and copies of Lesson's beautiful plates have 

 been introduced, more from the desire to exhibit the 

 curious form of the bill, than to discriminate the 

 species. 



We provisionally retain Lesson's name for this bird, 

 and nearly translate his description. With the next, 

 the descriptions of both Lesson and Swainson are 

 given. 



The individual from which the accompanying plate 

 was taken, is part of the collection of M. Longuemare 

 in Paris, and was received from Cayenne. The length 

 is about three inches and six lines, of which the bill 

 occupies nearly seven lines ; the bill is black, rather 

 strong, assumes a singular bend upwards, and has the 

 extremity of each mandible very fine, and slightly 

 flattened. The wings equal the tail in length, and 

 are of a brownish purple; the tail is large, and on 

 both sides is of a dull blackish blue ; the upper part 

 of the head, the back, rump, and shoulders, are of a 

 golden green ; a patch of emerald green occupies the 

 forepart of the neck, and is bordered by a lateral line 

 of white, which reaches almost to the crissum ; from 

 the green of the neck, a broad patch of deep black 

 stretches along the centre of the belly, and is also 

 bordered by the white streak above mentioned ; the 

 flanks are of a greenish brown, and the under coverts 

 are brownish. 



