HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



69 



motion from Oaober to April. There are nine fpecies 

 of Hmtzitzilin, differing in fize and colour (c). 



The Tlauhquechol is an aquatic bird of fome fize, 

 with feathers of a beautiful fcarlet colour, or a rcddifli- 

 white, except thofe of the neck, which are black. It 

 lives upon the fea-lhores, and by the fides of rivers ; 

 and lives only upon live fifli, never touching any thing 

 that is dead. 



The Nepapantototl^ is a wild duck which frequents 

 the lake of Mexico, and feems to have all the colours 

 together affembled in its plumage. 



The Tlacuiloltototl^ or painted bird, juflly deferves its 

 name ; for its beautiful feathers are variegated with red, . 

 blue, purple, green, and black. Its eyes are black, 

 with a yellow iris ; and the feet afli-coloured. 



The Tzinizcarij is of the fize of a pigeon, with a 

 fmall, crooked, yellow bill. The head and neck are like 

 thofe of a pigeon, but adorned with fliining green 

 feathers ; the breaft and belly are white except near 

 the tail, which is variegated with white and blue ; the 

 tail is green upon the upper fide, and black underneath ; 

 the wings are partly black, and partly white ; and the 

 eyes are black, with reddifli yellow irides. This bird 

 lives upon the fea-coafts. 



The MezcanauhtU, is a wild duck, about as large as 

 a domeftic fowl, but of fingular beauty. Its bill is 

 pretty long and broad, azure above, and black upon 

 the under fide; the feathers of the body are white, 



and 



(tf) The Spaniards of Mexico call this bird Chupamirto^ becaufe it fucks chief- 

 ly the flowers of a plant known there, though very improperly, by the name 

 of a Myrtle. In other parts of America, it is called Chupafor, Picaflorj T 

 inejoy Colibrey &c. Among the numerous authors who defcribe this precious 

 little bird, no one gives a better idea of the beauty of its plumage than Acofta. 



