304 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



in the former, which in addition possesses a brilliantly metallic gorget 

 of imbricated or scale-like feathers, the throat of Bellona being clothed 



Fig. 41. — Double crest of Aithurus polytmus. 



Fig. 42.— Double crest of Heliactin ccrnuta. 



with a blended and somber colored plumage. In Bellona the crest is 

 glittering green, sometimes passing into blue at the tip, or even for the 

 terminal half; in Chrysolampis the crest is ruby-red, the throat golden- 

 orange or topaz. 



Fig. 43. 



-Verticaljview of crest of Chrysolampis 

 moschitus, d- 



-Vertical view of crest of Bellona cris- 

 tata, d ■ 



The genus Cepliallepis has a much lengthened, narrow, pointed, and 

 slightly recurved crest, closely resembling that of the Lapwing Plover 

 ( Vanellus vanellus). That of Oxypogon (see Fig. 38, p. 303) is somewhat 

 similar. All of the species of the genus Lophornis, embracing the ex- 



Fig. 45. — Ccphallepis delalandi, d • 



Fig. 46. — Lnphornis ornatus, d- 



quisitely ornamented, bespangled, frilled, and otherwise decorated "Co- 

 quette" Humming Birds possess crests in addition to their other orna- 

 ments, which vary in their character with the species; but here the 

 subject becomes so intricate that to pursue it further would require far 

 more space than can here be afforded, besides perhaps proving tire- 

 some to the reader. The subject should not be dismissed, however, 

 without calling attention to a very elegant adornment of several genera 

 in the shape of " muffs "or " puffs " of the most delicate possible cot- 

 tony down clothing the legs and almost hiding the dainty feet, fhese 



