RTF IT-NECKED. 



61 



back. Legs and feet dark brown. The female differs chiefly in 

 being green gold where the male is cinnamon, the throat being 

 merely spotted with the glowing ruby colour of the male." 



The' tail of this species is somewhat wedge-shaped; the bill 

 long and slender: the whole form is extremely elegant. It is 

 one of a genus of Humming Birds, including several magnificent 

 species, which have gorgets consisting of large scaly feathers of 

 intense metallic lustre: they have been called by Lesson Les 

 Mulris — the Eubies. Perhaps one of the most brilliant of Hum- 

 niing Eirdsis that dedicated by Lesson to Mr. Gould, ( T. GouldiiJ 

 a perfect piece of feathered jewelry, all rubies, pearls, and eme- 

 ralds. An uncoloured representation of it will be found in our 

 Introduction. — See page xiii. 



Of this exquisite little species the following description is 

 given in "Martin's General History of the Trochilidre:" — "Its 

 snow-white throat fans, every feather being tipped with a 

 rounded spot of emerald green, its fiery-brown crest, its scaly 

 gorget of metallic green, its golden green upper surface, crossed 

 on the lower part of the back with a white band, its narrow 

 falcated wings, and its diminutive size, combine to throw a 

 charm arouud it, fixing the gazer by a spell which we would 

 not willingly break." The author adds, and all must agree with 

 him, that "It was a just compliment to Mr. Gould, that this 

 bird should bear his name as its specific appellation." 



We may as well add to this information that it belongs to the 

 genus Lopliomis, in which we find many charming crested and 

 ruff-necked little birds, which Lesson calls Les Coquets, that is, 

 those who court admiration — the Selaspliorm. 



