12 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



sure on their mutilated forms. I have care- 

 fully preserved about two hundred specimens, 

 in the best possible manner, yet they are still 

 but the shadow of what they were in real life. 

 The reason is obvious; for the sides of the 

 laminae, or fibres of each feather, being of a 

 different colour from the surface, will change 

 when seen in a front or oblique direction; 

 and as each laminae or fibre turns upon the 

 axis of the quill, the least motion, when 

 living, causes the feathers to change suddenly 

 to the most opposite hues. Thus the one 

 from Nootka Sound changes its expanded 

 throat from the most vivid fire-colour to light 

 green; the Topaz-throated does the same; 

 and the Mexican Star changes from bright 

 crimson to blue. 



The sexes vary greatly in the plumage in 

 many of the species ; so much so that it is 

 with difficulty we recognise them. The male 

 and female of the Mexican Star could not 



