MOTMOTS. 



51 



of Hylomanes, which is a bird of small size, recalling the todies in general 

 appearance. 



TrueMotmots ^^ ^ well-known example of the typical genus we select the 



Mexican motmot (Momotits lessoni), a species with the general colour 

 of the plumage green ; this tint 

 including the tail-feathers, which 

 become blue towards their ex- 

 tremities, where they are tipped 

 with black. On the crown of 

 the head is a patch of black, 

 bordered with silvery blue, which 

 passes into turquoise-blue, with 

 an inclination to j)urple on the 

 nape ; the eyebrow, forehead, 

 and cheeks are likewise black, 

 the latter being ornamented with 

 a band of turquoise-blue above 

 and below ; the under surface 

 is olive-brown, becoming greener 

 on the abdomen, and inclining 

 to emerald-green on the throat ; 

 while on the fore-neck is a tuft 

 of black feathers edged with 

 greenish blue. In length this 

 handsome bird measures about 

 15| inches from the beak to the 

 tip of the tail. Writing of its 

 habits, Mr. A. K. Cherrie observes 

 that •" the nests are built in the 

 ground, some bank, such as the 

 side of a stream, being selected. 

 The entrance tunnel extends 

 back horizontally sometimes for 

 a distance of six feet. At about 

 half its length there is a sharp 

 bend upward for some six 

 inches, then tlie course is again 

 horizontal as far as the chamber 

 occupied by the nest. The nest 

 space is twelve or fourteen 

 inches in diameter, being round, 

 and about six inches high, with 

 level floor ami ceiling. A few 

 rather coarse dry twigs are 

 strewn over the floor. The eggs 

 I am not acquainted with. Mr. bu.vzilian .motmot (.\ uat. size). 



