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NATTERER'S HUMMING-BIRD. 



Trochilus scutatus NATTERBR. 

 PLATE XIV. 



Oiseau-mouche cussonn, Trocliilus scutatus, Natterer ; Tern, 

 minck, Planches Coloriees, ccxcix. fig. 3. Le Natterer, Or, 

 nismya Nattererii, Lesson, Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux 

 mouches, pi. xvi. p. 75. 



THE first specimens of this remarkable humming- 

 bird were sent to Europe from the interior of Brasil 

 by M. Natterer and M. Auguste de St Hilaire. 



The most remarkable feature in the plumage of 

 this bird, is two thick, and almost downy tufts, of 

 very deep indigo blue, which spring from under the 

 eyes, and form a sort ot ruft" upon the sides of the 

 neck, and which Lesson thinks appear only during 

 the breeding season, as in the ruif, ( Tringa pugnax, 

 Linn.) If this is the case, do the ear tufts, and fea- 

 thery appendages incident to so many of the family, 

 appear only at this season, and disappear again when 

 a quieter time succeeds ? Each tuft is tipped with 

 yellow, which relieves them, when hanging upon the 

 same deep indigo which covers the upper part of the 



