S88 



THE SAPPHO COMET. 



THE SAPPHO COMET. 



Proceeding southwards, we find numerous beautiful hum- 

 ming-birds in Bolivia. Among them is the sappho comet, or 

 bar-tailed humming-bird. In winter it descends into the low- 

 lands of Peru, among the abodes of men, visiting their gardens 



III l r . SAl'I'Ilo COMET. 



and orchards with perfect fearlessness. The larger part of the 

 plumage is of a light green, the lower portion of the back a 

 deep crimson-red. The throat is metallic green, and the wings 

 are purple-brown. The base of the tail is brown, but the greater 

 part is of a fiery hue, tipped with velvety black. 



As it darts from flower to flower — now describing a circle, 



