Ch. VIIL SOUTH AMERICA. 439 



has a long thick neck, and a head fomething refem- 

 bling that bird. The bill is ftrait and thick, and its 

 legs and feet thick and ftrong. The outward feathers 

 of the wing are of a dark brown, thofe of the infide 

 of a pure white ; but the other parts of the body 

 fpotted. At the meeting of the wings they have two 

 fpurs, projecting to the length of an inch and a half, 

 as their defence. The male and female are infepara- 

 ble, whether flying, or on the ground, where they 

 moftly keep themfelves, never taking flight except 

 acrofs a valley, or when purfued. The flefli eats very 

 well, after being kept three or four days to lefien its 

 natural toughnefs. Thefe birds are alfo found in 

 places lefs cold than the mountainous deferts ; but 

 here, indeed, they are fomething different, having on 

 the forehead a kind of cartilaginous horn ; but both 

 thefe and the other fpecies have a crefl: on their head. 



The gardens of all kinds in the villages are much 

 frequented by a bird very remarkable both for its 

 fmailnefs and the vivid colours of its feathers. It is 

 generally called picaflores, or flower- peckers, from, 

 its hovering over them, qnd fucking their juices, 

 without lacerating or lb much as difordering them. 

 Its proper name is quinde, though it is alfo known by 

 thofe of Rabilargo and Lifongero, and in England by 

 that of humming bird. Its whole body, with its 

 plumage, does not exceed the bignefs of a middle-fized 

 nutmeg-, the tail is ufually near three times the length 

 of the whole body, yet has but few feathers ; its neck 

 is fliort; the head proportioned, with a very briik 

 eye ; the bill long and flender, white at the beginning, 

 and black at the end : the wings are alfo Ions; and 

 narrow. Mofl: of the body is green, fpotted with 

 yellow and blue. Some are higher coloured than 

 others ; and all are variegated with fl:reaks as it were 

 of gold. Of this bird alfo there are various fpecies, 

 diftinguifhed by their fize and colours. This is 

 thought to be the fmalleft of all known birds the 



F f 4 female 



