66 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



throat is deep olive-green, ami tlie tail light brown, tipped with black. The habitat of this species, 

 according to Gould, is confined to the temperate regions of Columbia. 



The ELVES {Lophoniithes), a most magnificent group of Humming Birds, are recognisable by 

 the remarkable tufts of feathers that adorn, sometimes the head, sometimes the tail of the males of 

 different species. The awl-shaped beak is somewhat flattened at its base ; the feet are usually small, 

 the toes short, and the claws long. The plumage of the male is rich and much variegated, while 

 that of the female is very plain. 



The PLOVER-CRESTS {Ccphalolepis) possess a delicate awl-shaped beak, scarcely equalling the 

 head in length ; the toes are short, and armed with long thin claws ; the wings are short, the tail 

 comparatively long, and composed of broad feathers. The feathers on the head of the male are 

 prolonged into a crest. 



DE LALAND'S PLOVER-CREST. 



De Laland's Plover-crest {Cephalokpis Delalandii), a very beautiful species, inhabiting Brazil, 

 is of a pale but very pure metallic green on the back and centre tail-feathers. The crest that adorns 

 the head is bright, light green, becoming darker towards its apex ; in old age this plume changes to 

 a steel-blue ; the under side is dark grey ; a patch that commences at the throat, and covers the 

 breast and centre of the belly, is bright blue ; the quills are greyish brown, shaded with violet ; the 

 exterior tail-feathers are black, edged with white ; the beak is black, and the foot blackish brown. 

 The female and young are without the crest and the blue patch on the breast. The body of this 

 species is three inches and a half long ; the wing measures two inches, and the tail one inch. The 

 crest of the male is one inch and two-thirds long. 



This graceful species of Humming Bird was first discovered by M. Delaland, in the southern 

 portion of Brazil. Mr. Reeves states that it inhabits Rio de Janeiro, Minos Gerves, and Santa 

 Catherina, but he was unaware whether it remains in those provinces all the year or not. " Of the 

 two nests that I possess," says Mr. Gould, " one is of much more lengthened form than the other, but 

 both are composed of the same materials, namely, fine fibrous roots, moss, lichens, and involucres of a 

 composite plant, the whole matted together with spiders' webs of so fine a kind that they are almost 

 imperceptible. Both had been suspended among the slender twigs of a species of banana." 



The COQUETTES {Lophornis) are remarkable for the magnificent collar that adorns their 

 neck, formed of long, narrow, and most delicately-marked feathers ; this collar can be raised or laid 

 back at pleasure. The head is usually embellished by a crest ; the awl-shaped beak equals the head 

 in length ; the wings are small and slender ; the tail is composed of broad, long feathers. 



THE SPLENDID COQUETTE. 



The Splendid Coquette {Lophornis ornata), a very richly-tinted species, inhabiting Guiana, is 

 of a bronze-green on the rump ; the crest is brownish red, and a white line passes over the lower part 

 of the back ; the region of the face is green, with a most brilliant lustre ; the graduated feathers that 

 form the collar are light reddish brown, spotted with glowing green ; the quills are deep purplish 

 brown, and the beak flesh-pink, tipped ■with brown. The female is much paler, and entirely without 

 the crest, collar, and green about the beak — features that so materially enhance the beauty of 

 the male. 



" This glorious little bird," says Gould, " which is strictly an inhabitant of the lowland districts 



