31 



DOUBLE-CKESTED. 



PLATE II. — FIG. 1. 



Trochilus eornutus, from the Latin cornu — a horn, in reference 

 to the two horn-like projections which issue from either side 

 of the head, forming a pair of flattened crests, composed each 

 of six feathers, that, flashing and gleaming with every motion 

 of the bird, look like quivering tongues of flame; their colour 

 is crimson, edged and tipped with the brightest yellow, and 

 all over the forehead between them are scaly feathers that 

 now flash out green as an emerald, and now shine with a 

 more softened azure; below the level of the eyes the colour 

 deepens to a full rich purple, which covers the sides of the 

 head, and extends a considerable distance down the breast, 

 forming a distinct line, and offering a strong contrast to the 

 pure white which covers the upper part of the belly, and all 

 between the head and the bases of the wing feathers, which 

 are greyish brown, tinged here and there with green, as is 

 also the under part of the body. The tail is long and wedge- 

 shaped, the two centre feathers brown, the rest pure white; 

 the wings, when closed, curve up in shape like the Turkish 

 weapon called a scimitar. Eour inches is about the length 

 of this splendid species, the tail measuring nearly half; the 

 body is of an elegant shape, long and slender, the bill and 

 feet are remarkably so, the former being slightly bent upward, 

 and terminating in a fine point. 



This bird inhabits what are called the Campos- Geraes of 

 Brazil — the high lands near the sources of the River Don 

 Eraneisco. It was first discovered by a German traveller, Prince 

 Maximilian, of Wied-JSeuwied, who described it in his "Voyage 

 to Brazil," and gave it the scientific name which it now 

 bears. 



The female of this species is perhaps more elegant in shape 

 than even the male, and the colours of her plumage are 

 almost equally brilliant, but she has not the splendid crests 

 which so adorn and distinguish her beautiful partner. 



