THE TROGON. THE HOOPOE. 



23 



cling to walls and other places that they frequent. Their bodieg 

 being flat, they can enter a very narrow crevice ; and where they 

 cannot pass on their bellies, they will turn up edgewise to push then> 

 elves through. 



THE TROGON. 



The magnificent family of the Trogons stands pre-eminent in beautj 

 and brilliancy of plumage, 

 the usual tint being a metal- 

 lic golden green, boldly con- 

 trasted with scarlet, black 

 and brown. The toes are 

 placed two behind and two 

 before, like those of the 

 Woodpeckers. 



The Kesplendent Trogon 

 is the most gorgeous of all 

 this gorgeous family. Its 

 long and gracefully curved 

 tail, nearly three feet long; 

 the whole of the upper sur- 

 face, and the throat, are a 

 glowing green ; the breast 

 and under parts are bright 

 crimson; the middle feathers 

 of the tail black, and the 

 outer feathers white. This 

 splendid bird is an inhabitant 

 of Mexico, and was used by 

 the Mexican nobles as an ornament to their head-dress. 



From the feathers of these and other Trogons the mosaic pictures 

 of the Mexicans were made. One of these, most delicately and beau- 

 tifully executed, containing many figures, is now in the Ashmolean 

 Museum at Oxford, and is there said to be made of Humming-birds' 

 feathers. The subject is " Christ fainting under the cross." The 

 whole picture is about the size of the palm of the hand, and the 

 figures are baiely half an inch in height. 



This is a very difficult bird to stuff, on account of the delicate 

 texture of the skin, which is so fragile, that it tears almost as easily 

 as wet blotting paper. 



RESPLENDENT TROGOMS. 



THE HOOPOE. 



One of the most elegant birds that visit England is unfortunately 

 a very rare guest, and seldom if ever, breeds there. Its beautiful cresi 

 can be raised or depressed at pleasure, but is seldom displayed unlesa 

 the bird is excited from some cause. Its food consists of insects, which 



