( ^31 ) 



ftones : the ruby, the garnet, the fapphire, the emerald, the topaz, and poli- 

 fhed gold being confidered as the mofl: proper objects of elucidation. 



It is not however to be imagined that all the fpecies of humming-birds 

 are thus decorated : fome are even obfcure in their colours, and inflead of 

 the prevailing fplendor of the major part of the genus, exhibit only a faint 

 appearance of a golden-green tinge, flightly diffufed over the brown or purplifli 

 colour of the back and wings. The genus is of a very great extent, and 

 in Older that the fpecies may with greater readinefs be diitinguifhed, it has 

 been found neceflary to divide them into two feftions, viz. the curve-billed and 

 the ftrait-billed. It is under the latter of thefe divifions that we mufl: rank 

 the fpecies here reprefented, which is one of the rarefl of the whole tribe, and 

 is a native of Cayenne. 



In fize it is nearly equal to the Trochilus Colubris, or common red-throated 

 humming-bird, fo often feen in the united Britiila ftates, but its colours are 

 far different. The upper parts of the body are green-gold : the under parts, 

 except the throat, are brownifli, gradually becoming white on the lower part of the 

 abdomen : the head is ornamented with a large upright, and fomewhat comprefied 

 crefl, of a delicate filky appearance, and of the richeft ferruginous or reddidi 

 colour. The long wing-feathers and tail are of a coppery brown : the rump 

 white. On each fide the neck are fituated feveral long feathers {landing out 

 in the manner of a ruff, which give a mofl Angularly beautiful afped to this 

 fpecies : thefe feathers are of a reddilh brown, each terminated by a golden- 

 green expanded tip, and the bird is faid to have the power of raifing or de- 

 prefTuig them at pleafure. The throat is golden-green, which, in particular 

 lights, changes into brown : the bill and legs are blackifh. 



PHOE. 



