250 



THE RESPLENDENT TKOGOX. 



I. MSX.IC4-N TKOGON. 2. Kii.-sri.KN I'liN T XAOUON. 



and so thin that it has been 

 compared to wet blotting- 

 paper ; while the plumage is 

 so lightly set, that when the 

 bird is shot, the feathers will 

 fall freely from their sockets, 

 through the force of the blow. 



The colour of the adult 

 male bird is a rich golden 

 green, on the crest, head, 

 neck, throat, chest, and 

 shoulder-plumes. The breast 

 and under parts shine with 

 as bright a scarlet as the 

 uniform of an English guards- 

 man ; the central feathers of 

 the tail are black, and the 

 exterior white, with black 

 bars. The resplendent plumes 

 which overhang the tail are 

 seldom less than three feet 

 in length, so that the total 

 length of this gorgeous bird 

 will frequently reach four 

 feet. The bill is of a light 

 yellow. 



This species of trogon feeds 

 chiefly on vegetable diet. 

 We may add that in old 

 times its long plumes were 

 am oner the insignia of Mexi- 



