T R C H I L U S recurvirostris, 

 Recurved-bill Humming Bird. 



Generic Character. — See PI. 82. 



Specific Character. 



T. aureo-viridis, jiigulo smaragdino ; pectore medio corporcque nigris ; 



rectricibus lateralibus suhtus topazinis ; rostro recurxo. 

 Golden green; throat shining emerald green; middle of the breast 



and body black ; lateral tail feathers beneath topazine ; bill 



recurved. 



Ike extraordinary formation in the bill of this beautiful 

 little creature, is without parallel in any land bird yet dis- 

 covered, and presents in miniature a striking resemblance to 

 that of the Avoset. It is almost impossible to conjecture 

 rightly the use of this singular formation ; but it appears to 

 me not very improbable, that the principal sustenance of the 

 bird may be drawn from the pendent Bignonicc, and other 

 similar plants, so common in South America, whose corollas 

 are long, and generally bent in their tube ; the nectar, being 

 at the bottom, could not be reached either by a straight or 

 incurved bill, though very easily by one corresponding to the 

 shape of the flower. 



The figure is the size of life. Bill black, depressed along 

 the whole length, but more especially at the tip, which is 

 rounded, thin, obtuse, and recurved in both mandibles ; the 

 under of which, towards the middle, has a convex swelling, 

 which gives the recurvature a stronger appearance. All the 

 upper plumage and body beneath golden-green; the throat, 

 to the breast, shininsr with scale-like feathers of a vivid 

 emerald-green. From the breast to the vent is a stripe of 

 black down the middle; thighs white; tail even, the two 

 middle feathers dull greenish-blue, the rest above obscure 

 coppery-brown, but beneath of a rich shining topaz colour. 



I believe this bird is unique; 1 purchased it at Mr. Bullock's 

 sale, and that gentleman received it from Peru. It presents 

 so much of the genuine habit of the Trochili, that I have 

 retained it under that genus ; for, though the bill is differently 

 formed, that exception does not point out any important 

 difference from the general economy of those birds. 



Pi. 105. 



