MANY-COLOURED TYRANT 173 
MANY-COLOURED TYRANT 
Cyanotis azare 
Above dark bronzy green; head black; superciliaries yellow ; 
vertical spot crimson ; wings black; broad tips of the lesser wing- 
coverts and broad edgings of some of the secondaries white, forming 
a large white bar on the wing; tail black, greater part of outer pair 
of rectrices and outer web and broad tip of next pair and narrow tips 
of third pair white; beneath bright ochreous yellow ; chin whitish ; 
crissum crimson; incomplete band across the lower breast black ; 
under wing-coverts white ; length 4.8 inches. 
Tus charming little bird is variously called by the 
country people All-coloured or Seven- coloured. 
Azara calls it ‘“‘ The King ’’—a name which this 
species deserves, he says, not only on account of 
the crown of loose feathers on its head, but because 
it is exceeded by few birds in beauty. It is the most 
beautiful bird found in Chili, says Gay; and Dar- 
win, who is seldom moved to express admiration, 
calls it “‘ an exquisitely beautiful little bird.” There 
are many species possessing a more brilliant plumage, 
none with so great a variety of distinct colours ; for 
on its minute body, which is less than that of the 
House-Wren, are seen black, white, green, blue, 
orange, yellow, and scarlet; and all these hues are 
disposed and contrasted in such a manner as to 
produce a very pleasing effect—the olive-green and 
delicate yellow predominating, while the vivid scarlet 
is a mere spot, like the bright gem or ornament which 
serves to set off and enhance the beauty of the dress. 
The whole under plumage is pure lovely yellow, 
