CHLOROPSIS MALABARICUS. 



tains, the waters, or the plains. In a general or more extended work, such 

 as the present, this cannot be done, as we must be dependent upon the ob- 

 servations of others, and have very frequently no more than the desiccated 

 skin, in evidence of the existence of the bird before us. It is thus with the 

 present species, which, though known to collectors, and noticed in the works 

 of various authors, remains, as to its manners, in nearly the same state as 

 when first discovered. The construction of its tongue, as well as other pecu- 

 liarities observable in its form, point out, however, pretty distinctly the sta- 

 tion it ought to hold in a systematic arrangement. In this species, the bill 

 is somewhat more attenuated than in the rest, approaching in this respect 

 nearer in form to some of the New Holland groups of melliphagous birds. 



Its length is six inches and a half, the forehead of a brilliant orpiment- 

 orange, the base of the under mandible and throat ultramarine blue, tinged 

 with violet-purple ; space between the bill and eyes, part of the cheeks, and 

 lower part of neck, black ; beneath the black, a crescent of Dutch orange. 

 Upper parts sap-green, changing in its intensity according to the light in 

 which it is placed, and passing into gamboge-yellow behind the eyes, and 

 where it comes in contact with the black throat. Under parts sap-green, 

 lighter towards the vent. Inner webs of quills brownish-black. Inner mar- 

 gins of the interior webs of the tail-feathers, the same, except the two centre 

 feathers, which are wholly green. Shoulders pale glossy verditer-blue, the 

 edges of the wings dark ultramarine blue. Bill brownish-black. Legs and 

 toes blackish-grey. 



