32 



YIQLET-EAKED. 



PLATE II.-FIG. 2. 



' Troohilus auritus, from the Latin awis, an ear, given to the 

 species on account of the distinct patch, of a deep lustrous 

 violet- colour, which extends from beneath the eye far down the 

 side of the head, being composed of what are called the auricular, 

 or ear feathers; it is of a pear-shape, and gives a singular 

 appearance to the bird, which is more stoutly built than most 

 members of the graceful family to which it belongs. Golden 

 green, inclining in places to violet, is the prevailing colour of 

 the plumage of the upper part of the body; the under parts 

 are generally of a snowy whiteness; purple and slaty blue are 

 the colours of the tail, which is broad and short. Brazil and 

 Guiana are the countries in which this species has been found; 

 it is thought to be the same as that described by Lesson under 

 the name of Ornismya nigrotis. 



There are as many as eight other Violet-eared species of 

 Humming Birds known and described, but they belong to a 

 different _ genus, called Petasophora; they have mostly long- 

 slender, bills, tails nearly square, and brilliant violet blue scale- 

 like neck feathers, which project on either side. Green is the 

 prevailing colour of the plumage of these handsome birds, with 

 purple and golden-brown marks and reflections. 



TUETED-NECKED. 



PLATE III. — FIG. 1. 



Trochilus ormtus. Commend us to fine clothes and plenty 

 of rich jewelry: if this be not a little feathered beau we never 

 saw one. Well may his name be ormtus — the ornamented. 

 Look at that ample crest, of a clear reddish chesnut, shining 

 like satin, and covering nearly all the top of the head. See 

 the forehead and back parts of the throat, and upper part of 

 the breast, all ablaze with gleaming emeralds closely set, as it 

 seems, upon a ground of purple velvet; from the golden bill 

 extends a strip of a paler colour, which passing round, and 



