THE SEARCHERS. 



s: 



head and region of the throat, with greyish ohve-brown mantle and white belly, shading to yellowish 

 brown at its sides ; the centre of the throat is decorated with a long triangular patch of glossy green, 

 divided from the light under side by a line of velvety black ; the quills are purpUsh bro-\vn, and the 

 centre tail-feathers dark green, the rest greenish black on the outer and white on the inner web ; the 

 beak and feet are black. The female is olive-green on the back, and olive-brown on the under side, 

 slightly marked with a lighter shade ; the breast is white, each feather spotted with bro\\Ti at its tip ; 



THE CIU.MBORAZIAN HILL-STAR (Oicolrocliihis Chhnborazc). 



the centre tail-feathers are brilliant dark green, the rest light greenish brown, and white towards tlie 

 root ; the two exterior feathers have a white spot on the inner web. The body is four inches and 

 three-quarters long ; the tail measures two inches and three-eighths. 



" This beautiful species," says M. Jules Bourcier, " is exclusively confined to the volcanic 

 mountain, Chimborazo. Here, at an altitude where vegetation ceases, and near the eternal snows, it 

 loves to dwell, the height of its range appearing to be governed by that of the chuquiraga, its 

 lavourite shrub, the flowers of which afford it an abundance of nectarian and insect food. It is 

 sohtary \\\ its habits, and so pugnacious that it immediately offers battle to intruders on its haunts. 

 The male perches on the extremity of the most elevaled branch, and is rarely found near the female, 

 ■v/hich, unlike her mate, invariably perches near the ground, a circumstance that, combined ^vith her 



