76 



GIGANTIC HUMMING-BIRD . 



Trochilus gigas VIEILLOT. 

 PLATE III. 



Oiseau-mouche geant; Trochilus gigas, Vieillot, Gallerie du 

 Museum, plate 180 I/Oiseau-mouche Patagon ; Ornis- 

 mya tristis, Lesson, Histoire Naturette des Oiseaux- 

 mouches, p. 43. pi. iii. 



AMONG the delicate tribe of birds which we have 

 been endeavouring to describe, we have seen those 

 only of splendid plumage, of small size and slender 

 proportions. That to which we have devoted the 

 annexed plate, is a remarkable contrast : it is of dull 

 plumage, and of a strength much greater than any of 

 the others. It is the largest Humming-bird which 

 has been yet discovered, and has been accordingly 

 denominated " Le Patagon," and " Oiseau-mouche 

 geant." 



The length of this bird is nearly eight inches : the 

 crown, back, the under and lesser wing-coverts, 

 brownish-green, with reflections of the latter tint ; 

 the under parts are light reddish, mingled with a 

 deeper tint, and shaded with greenish on the flanks; 



* This figure is considerably reduced. 



