472 ARA AND RACKET-TAIL HUMMING-BIRDS. 



feathers are of a blazing scarlet, which contrasts beautifully 



with the deep velvet-black of the head and part of the neck. 

 The throat is emerald-green, with a patch of crimson in the 

 centre. The lower part of the back, and the upper tail- 

 coverts, are of a resplendent green with an orange gloss ; and 

 the wings and tail of purple-black, the two elongated feathers 

 of the tail excepted — they being of a purplish-green. Its nest 

 appears as if formed of leather, and is so cleverly woven that 

 it can scarcely be distinguished from the bark or fungi grow- 

 ing on the branch to which it is lixed. 



ARA HUMMING-BIRD. 

 The crimson topaz, or ara humming-bird (Topaza pella), 

 vies with it in beauty. Its hues are of a deeper crimson. 

 The tail is of a reddish buff, except the two central feathers, 

 which are of the saint' hue as the preceding. Unlike most 

 humming-birds, it is of a shy and retiring disposition, and 

 seldom ventures from among the deep shades of the forest ; 

 and then only at early dawn, or late in the evening, when it 

 may be seen darting across the stream in search of insects, on 

 which it chiefly feeds. 



THE RACKET-TAIL HUMMING-BIRD. 

 The racket-tail humming-bird (Discura longicauda) takes 

 its name from tin; curious form of its tail, the feathers of 

 which are forked, — -the two exterior ones being twice the 

 length of the second pair. The colour of the tail is purple- 

 black ; the face, throat, and part of the neck light green ; 

 while under the chin there is a little velvet-black spot. The 

 upper part of the body is a bronze-green, and a bright buff 

 band crosses the lower end of the back. 



