PARADISE HUMMING-BIRD. 277 



crest on the head, the feathers of which are con- 

 tinued downwards on each side, so as in some 

 degree to encircle the neck : these feathers are of 

 different lengths, and appear to be very numerous, 

 so as to form a full crest, somewhat resembling 

 that of a Hoopoe : two of the tail-feathers are of 

 great length, equalling that of the whole bird: the 

 bill is represented of a brown colour, and con- 

 siderably curved, and the legs pale brown. In the 

 description the tongue is expressly said to be bifid, 

 as in other Humming-Birds, and it is added that 

 this species is a native of New Spain. The bird 

 does not appear to be known to modern ornitho- 

 logists, and is given by Linnaeus from Brisson, 

 whose only authority is Seba. In the Linnaean 

 specific character the two long tail-feathers are 

 stated to be the two middle ones ^ but as the whole 

 depends on Seba's figure, this is a particular which 

 must rest uncertain, since no other feathers but 

 these are expressed in the engraving, and the ac- 

 companying description does not state whether 

 they are the two middle or exterior feathers. The 

 total length of the figure is about eight inches and 

 a half. 



