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cassell's book of birds. 



THE ROYAL AMAZON. 

 The RovAL Amazon {Bdlalrix regina), a beautiful species inhabiting Columbia, closely resembles 

 the bird last described, but with these dififerences : the rump is a copper-colour and the lower part 

 of the back striped with white ; the tail is brown, the quills purplish brown, and the collar emerald 

 green; each of its feathers spotted with red. The crest is formed of long, narrow, bright red 

 feathers, some of which have a deep metallic green spot at the tip. 



THE HORNED SUN-GEM (Heliactinus cornuttis). 



The SUN-GEMS {Heliactinus) are distinguishable from the above group by the superior length 

 of the tail and crest ; the wing is long and slender, the tail much graduated, and formed of narrow, 

 pointed feathers. The beak is longer than the head, and increases slightly in thickness towards 

 its delicate tip. The feet are small, and the claws short and powerful. 



THE HORNED SUN-GEM. 

 The Horned Sun-gem {Heliactinus cornutiis) is of a steel-blue on the crown of the head ; the 

 collar beautifully shaded, from violet, green, yellow, and orange to red ; the throat, neck, and 



