444 NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



curious group is contained in the genus Aglceactis. Of rather large size, these birds 

 have a coloration similarly distributed to that of the species of Eriocnemis, but the 

 manner of exhibiting this is different. The feathers of the rump are highly luminous, 

 but in order to see the full beauty of these hues, it is necessary to look against the 

 feathers, or towards the head, when the brilliancy of the metallic sheen is seen to the 

 best advantage. There are four species from the western part of South America, 

 from Colombia to Bolivia. The females resemble the males, as do those of the genus 

 Eriocnemis, but have very much less brilliancy on their plumage. 



Cephalolepis and Bellona contain species with more or less lengthened crests, to 

 which the metallic hues of the plumage are confined, there being none upon the lower 

 part of the body. The crests of the two genera differ much in shape, that of the spe- 

 cies of Cephalolepis being long, rather loose, and terminating in from one to three nai- 

 row feathers extending beyond the rest. That of Bellona is broad and pointed, of 

 moderate length, and the feathers of the forehead project forward and cover one half 

 the length of the culrnen. The species of this genus are natives of the West Indies. 

 Chrysolampis moschitus is the ruby and topaz humming-bird, so called from the bril- 

 liant metallic hues of the top of the head and throat. Like the species of Bellona, the 

 feathers of the forehead project over the culmen, and the male possesses all the beauty 

 of plumage, the female being a plainly dressed, quiet-looking little bird. The species 

 is of considerable commercial importance, thousands being shipped to Europe and 

 other countries every year, giving employment to numbers of the inhabitants of its 

 native land. It makes a round, cup-shaped nest, of some cottony materials, and dec- 

 orated with leaves and lichens. It perches occasionally on the flowering shrubs it 

 frequents, and spreads its rounded, chestnut-colored tail to its fullest extent, and then 

 appears to the greatest advantage. 



Three species of humming-birds, of rather large size and most graceful form, are 

 included in the genus Heliothrix, distinguished by their slender, wedge-shaped bills, 

 plumage of green and white hues, and metallic-blue tufts on the sides of the neck. 

 There is not much difference in the coloring of the sexes, but when any does exist, it 

 consists in the absence of metallic coloring on the female's throat. The rectrices, 

 which are rounded, are quite long, always shortest, however, in the male. The 

 species dwell in Central and South America generally. Heliothrix aurlculatus, from 

 southern Brazil, and a bird of a powerful and rapid flight, evinces a preference 

 for the flowers of the orange-trees, which doubtless furnish it with its insect food. 

 The nest, which is of an elongated shape, is built of fine vegetable fibres, and coated 

 externally with small pieces of various colored barks, and attached by one side to some 

 twig. Like in other species, the materials composing the nest are not always of the 

 same kind, the bii'd apparently taking that which is most convenient and adapted for 

 the purpose. 



The genera Schistes, Plilogophilus, Augastes, Chrysuronia, Metallura, and Avocet- 

 tula contain about twenty-one species, resembling each other in the bright metallic 

 coloration of their rectrices, though differing in other important respects. Schistes 

 contains but two species, confined to Ecuador, one (/& personatus) having been pro- 

 cured upon the sides of Mount Pichincha, six thousand feet above the sea. It has the 

 forehead, face, and throat metallic green, with lilac-blue tufts on either side of the 

 breast. The members of Augastes are more brilliant birds than are those of the last 

 genus, A. lumachellns being particularly beautiful. It has the top of head, ear-coverts, 

 and a line outside of throat velvety black ; forehead, face and throat luminous golden 



