30 



"WHITE-EARED. 



PLATE I.— FIG. 2. 



Trochihis leucotis is the scientific name of this species; the 

 latter term comes from a Greek root, and signifies white-eared. 

 The bird, you will perceive, has a distinct white mark extending 

 from the eye to the hack Of the neck, and curving round so 

 as to connect itself with the upper margin of the bright 

 emerald green breast-plate, or gorget, as it may be termed; 

 the top of the head is of a brownish violet tint, glossed with 

 green, and tinged on the forehead and all around the base of 

 the yellowish bill with a rich blue, which becomes more bril- 

 liant on the cheeks and throat; the back and the under part of 

 the body is a glossy reddish brown, which is also the colour 

 of the tail feathers, except where they have a lining of deli- 

 cate white; the larger wing feathers are grey with a tinge of 

 green. The total length of this elegant bird is about three 

 inches; it has a long and slender bill, and the tail, when 

 spread out, is broad and fan-like. 



It is a Brazilian species, and appears to be very rare. We 

 have met with no account of its peculiar habits. 



A near relative of this bird's being placed in the same genus, 

 called Thaumatms, is the Trochilus Milleri, or "the Pick-flower 

 of the Cordillerus," as the natives call it. This species is found 

 only in the elevated valleys of the Andes, where it makes its 

 home amid storms of hail, rain, and thunder, where one would 

 little expect to find so delicate a creature. It feeds much upon 

 small flies, which it takes upon the wing along the margins 

 of the mountain rivulets, chiefly just about eventide, which is 

 a remarkable circumstance. 



