PURPLE HUMMING-BIRD. 



Trochilus cosligena LESSON. 

 PLATE IV. 



La Coeligene , Ornismya cceligena, Lesson, Trochilidees, 

 p. 141. pi. liii. 



LESSON'S beautiful plate has served us for the il- 

 lustration of this species, remarkable no less for its 

 beauty than for its rarity, and the unusual tint which 

 the plumage assumes. The only specimen which 

 has come under his observation is one which he re- 

 ceived from M. Florent Prevost, to whom it was 

 sent from Mexico. 



The general tint of the plumage of this bird is 

 purple, possessing the changing hues so common in 

 the family; and above, it varies from a rich violet to 

 a brilliant and sparkling red, while below, it is tem- 

 pered in the shade with a chaste and beautiful grey 

 The whole upper parts are of this rich purplish-red, 

 but the feathers are banded with a darker and paler 

 shade, without so much metallic lustre, and the 

 plumage of the lower part of the back and tail-co- 

 verts assumes a golden greenish lustre, the only part 

 of the plumage where this colour, so general, is seen. 

 On the throat and breast, the feathers are of a deli- 



