THE SEARCHERS. 



69 



cheeks are deep rich black; the upper breast, centre of the belly, rump, and exterior taU-feathers 

 white, and the quills grey. The femak is without the collar and crest, her throat is reddish yellow, 

 and the outer feathers of the tail striped with black at their centre. The beak is black. This 

 species is four inches and a half long, the wing measures t^vo inches, and the tail from two to two 



and a half inches. 



"The Horned Sun-gem," says Gould, "is an inhabitant of the mountain ranges of Brazil, 



'^-g^.:^. 



THE wnrrE footed racket-tail (Sle^anurus L'nJfi-uoodii). 



particularly those of Minos Gerves, and well does this elegant little bird represent in the air the 

 brilliant that is hidden in the deep primitive rocks over which it flies, fairy-like in form and colour ; 

 we might easily imagine that one of the jewels had become vivified, and had taken wing." 



We are told by M. Bourcier that " during the dry season it principally frequents the open 

 country in the neighbourhood of marshes, and obtains its food from the small plants which there 

 abound ; during the rainy season it re-enters the woods, where it seeks its food among the various 

 orchids." 



The SYLPHS {Lesbia) are principally distinguished by their long, forked tails. 



