THE SEARCHERS. 



65 



Janeiro, Novo Fribourgo, and Minos Gerves, but is nowhere very common ; it frequents gardens 

 when the orange-trees are in flower, the valleys when the marrioneira is blooming, and the forests 

 when the blossoms elsewhere are no longer inviting. It arrives in Rio in July, is most numerous 

 in September and October, and departs again on the approach of the hot season. Its nest is 

 invariably placed in the highest and driest trees." 



THE AMETHYST HUMMING BIRD (CaUipIilox aniethystiita). 



The WOOD-STARS {Caloihorax, or Lucifer) are principally distinguishable by the peculiar 

 formation of the male bird's tail, which is much forked, and composed of short, stiff, narrow feathers; 

 in some species the exterior tail-feathers are very short and almost without web. The tail of the 

 female is straight, and her wings of moderate size ; the beak is long, thin, and slightly curved. 



MULSANT'S WOOD-STAR. 

 Mulsant's Wood-star {CalotJwrax Mulsanti) is a very beautiful species of Humming Bird, 

 inhabiting Columbia and Bolivia ; the male is dark green on the back and sides, with a brilliant 

 gloss ; the chin, cheek-stripes, lower part of throat, a streak on the centre of the breast and the belly 

 are white, the chin relieved by a violet sheen. The back of the female is lighter than that of her 

 mate, her under side is white, and the lower tail-covers of brownish red ; a line on the sides of the 

 VOL. III. — 88 



