22 PHAROMACRUS COSTARICENSIS. 



known fact that the tribute paid to Moctezuma, or Montezuma, by this 

 province was composed chiefly of feathers and skins from the Quetzal and 

 other brightly coloured birds found abundantly in that country. 



This Trogon was an emblem of royalty and deity among the Mexicans ; 

 and I have seen many antiquities, representing gods or kings, in which the 

 image of this bird was carved. With the feathers, the monarch and his 

 household used to adorn their regal dresses. 



It is very curious to observe that after several hundred years the 

 plumes of these magnificent birds are again used for ornamental purposes 

 by the fair sex of the nineteenth century. 



There is not any doubt that it is the finest species of bird found in 

 America ; and it can well bear comparison with the most superb Birds of 

 Paradise from New Guinea. It was first described by La Llave (a Mexican 

 naturalist), under the name of Pharomacrus mocitia*, which it still retains 

 by the law of priority. It has also been called Paradisea resplendens, 

 Couroucou resplendissant, &c. 



It is rather a rare species, although you can procure easily a large 

 quantity of specimens ; but this is due to the great demand in Europe, which 

 commenced a few years ago. 



Some naturalists have been hunting the birds in their most inaccessible 



costaricensis. Any fresh information respecting this magnificent Trogon must be interesting. 

 M. Boucard has a genuine love of ornithology — a fact which impressed itself very strongly upon us 

 in our conversations with him. He states that he has been very successful in the object of his 

 journey, which was chiefly to observe the habits of birds. He retui-ns with fully 250 species and 

 some good notes, which are valuable, because every rehance can be placed upon the accuracy and 

 conscientiousness of M. Boucard as an observer. — Editok of O. M.] 

 * Mocina, the name of a celebrated Mexican. 



