HELIACTIN CORNUTA. 



Sun Gem. 



Trochilus cornutus, Pr. Max. Beitr. zur Naturg. von Bras., p. 99. — Jard. Nat. Lib. Humming 



Birds, vol. i. p. 122. pis. 21, 22. 



dilophus, Vieill. Ency. M^th. Orn., part ii. p. 573. 



bilophus, Temm. PL Col. 18. fig. 3. — Less. Man. d'Orn., torn. ii. p. 76. 



Ornismya chry&olopha, Less. Hist. Nat. des Ois. Mou., p. 55. pis. 7, 8. — lb. Supp. p. 162. 



pi. 32.— lb. Traits d'Orn., p. 276. 

 Mellisaga bilopha, Steph. Cont. of Shaw's Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 251. pi. 30. 

 Heliactin comuta, Boie, in Oken's Isis, 1831. 



cornutus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 85. — lb. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 256. 



Mellisuga comuta, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 113, Mellisuga, sp. 67 . 

 Heliactinia chrysolopha, Reichenb. Aufz. der Colibris, p. 12. — lb. Troch. enumer., p. 9. 



Every enthusiastic naturalist, when studying the productions of that vast portion of the globe which we 

 comprehensively term the "Continent of America," becomes amazed at the prodigality with which Nature 

 has lavished her treasures throughout the temperate and more especially the intertropical regions of that 

 enormous expanse of land. It matters little whether he direct his attention to its flora or its fauna, — let 

 him turn to whatever department of science he may, he becomes enchanted with the prospect around 

 him, — everywhere the utmost variety is presented, and all is beautiful in the extreme ; — the inexhaust- 

 ible stores of minerals, the varied forms of the Orchidaceous and other curious plants, the splendour 

 of the insects and the beauty of the birds which give life to the forests, call forth his admiration. In 

 the physical geography of the country, too, an equal variety exists, — vast plains, great rivers bordered with 

 interminable forests, and towering Cordilleras, each giving birth to a distinct flora and a distinct 

 fauna; and not only so, but at different elevations, even in the same latitudes, to species and even genera 

 which are not to be found elsewhere. These remarks might be extended to a much greater length ; but as 

 the subject will be found more fully treated of in another part of the work, it would be out of place to 

 comment at large upon them here. It would be very gratifying to me to give some information respecting 

 the habits and economy of this bird; but unfortunately all that is known respecting it is, that it is an 

 inhabitant of the mountain-ranges of Brazil, particularly those of Minas Geraes ; and well does this elegant 

 little bird represent in the air the brilliants which lie 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. 



For the discovery of this remarkable species we are indebted to the researches of His Highness the Prince 

 Maximilian of Wied, who first described it in his "Voyage to Brazil" under the name of Trochilus cornutus, 

 and who states that it inhabits the exalted Campos Geraes of Brazil, near the sources of the river San 

 Francisco. Mr. Reeves informs me that Minas Geraes is the only province from which he had received 

 specimens. 



M. Bourcier states, that " during the dry season it principally frequents the open country in the neigh- 

 bourhood of marshes, and obtains its food from the small plants which there abound ; and that it re-enters 



