FLORISUGA FLABELLIFERA, Gould. 



Great Jacobin. 



TrocMlus ( Y) flahelliferm, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part xiv. p. 45. 



Florisiiga flaheUifera, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 74. 



The chief difference between this species and the Florkuga mellwora consists in its far greater size and in 

 the browner colouring of the tips of the tail-feathers : the extent of its range is at present unknown, but we 

 have positive evidence that it is by no means uncommon in the island of Tobago ; numerous specimens 

 having been sent from thence by Mr. Kirk to Sir William Jardine, Bart., to whom I am indebted for the 

 specimens illustrated in the present work ; I have also examples from the Orinoco, and others from 

 different localities in South America which are at present unknown to me. 



The only information I have acquired respecting its habits is contained in the following brief note com- 

 municated to Sir William Jardine, Bart., by Mr. Kirk: — "It is said to be found chiefly in low marshy 

 situations among the plantain bushes, in company with the Sabre-wing {Campy lopt ems ensipennis) ; and to 

 feed constantly on the wing." 



Head, neck and chest rich deep shining blue; back, rump, upper tail-coverts and flanks shinino- 

 green ; a broad crescent-shaped mark at the nape of the neck, abdomen, under tail-coverts and tail, pure 

 white, the feathers of the latter bordered at the extremity with purplish brown ; wings purplish brown ; 

 bill black. 



Some examples have a stripe of reddish buff running down the sides of the face, but do not otherwise 

 differ in colouring. 



The female has the upper surface coppery bronze; a trace of the white mark on the nape; wings 

 purplish brown ; tail bronzy green passing into black near the extremity, with the three outer feathers 

 tipped with white, the white tipping being greatest on the outer feather and successively less on the two 

 inner ones ; throat mottled brown ; tail-coverts greenish grey, with a crescent of black near the extremity, 

 and tipped with white. 



This species appears to be subject to the same variations of plumage as the Flormiga melliwra\ so much 

 so indeed, that a description of the different styles of plumage of the one would be nearly as descriptive of 

 those of the other. 



The Plate represents two males and a female on one of the plants called Bois hnmortelhj the settlers. 



