141 



GOLDEN-GREEN HUMMING-BIRD^ 



Trochilus prasina. LESSON. 



PLATB VIII. 



l/Orvert, Oraismya praana, Lesson, ffistoire Natorelle des 

 Oiteauz-mouches, pi. Lev. 



LESSON considers the species to which he has given 

 the name of prasina distinct from T. viridissimus of 

 modern authors, but identical with the T. viridissimus 

 of Linnaeus and Latham. It is a native of Brasil, 

 and certainly yet very little known in collections. 



The entire length of this beautiful little bird is 

 about two inches and eight lines, of which the bill 

 makes up seven lines, and the form is in general de- 

 licate. The whole plumage, excepting the vent, is 

 of a very deep golden green, but with a clear brilliant 

 and changing lustre, occasionally of a bluish tint ; the 

 plumes on the forehead, and breast, presenting the 

 greatest brightness, and assuming the scaly form. 

 The vent is whitish ; the wings are brownish purple, 

 of a narrow form, and firm texture ; the tail dull 

 indigo blue, broad, and slightly rounded. The plumage 

 of the young birds, and the female of this species seem 



