156 
&'>>■ h'r 1 . 
TEE SCARLET 
DREPANIS. 
following bold and striking manner. . The crest is of a brilliant verditer-blue, possessing a metal- 
lic splendor, and almost flashing with emerald rays when placed in a strong light. A black 
velvet-like patch of feathers is placed on the back of the head and neck, affording the most 
decided contrast with the light plumage of the crest. Another but larger patch of the same 
deep hue occurs upon the shoulder, the wings are also black, and a black streak is drawn from 
the angle of the month towards the back of the neck. With these exceptions, the whole of 
the body is a bright azure. 
This species is an inhabitant of Cayenne, Guiana, and the neighboring localities. It is a 
little bird, hardly larger than a common sparrow. 
The Azure Csereba may generally be found upon the various flowering trees and shrubs of 
its native land, where it occupies its time in a perpetual search after the tiny insects that con- 
ceal themselves within 
the newly-opened blos- 
soms. 
In its nesting and 
in other parts of its 
economy it is a most 
singular bird. The nest 
is of the pensile order, 
being neatly woven up- 
on the extremity of 
some slender twig, 
which sways to and fro 
even with the trifling 
weight of the mother 
and her tiny brood, and 
will in nowise bear the 
heavy bodies of the va- 
rious snakes and lizards 
that abound among the 
branches of the trees, 
and keep up a relent- 
AZURE CASREBA. Ccereba cyanea. less persecution of 
young nestlings and 
eggs. The shape of the nest is not unlike that of a large “jargonelle ” pear, the lower extremity 
being produced into a long tube with the month below, and the eggs placed in a large rounded 
portion of the nest. Ho predaceous reptile could venture itself into so formidable a strong- 
hold, and any noxious insect that might make its way through the tunnel would soon be 
snapped up by the watchful parent. The substance of the nest is composed of very slender 
grasses and fibres, and the entire structure is put together with a delicate firmness that human 
fingers would strive in vain to imitate. 
It is said, upon very good authority, that the young of the Azure Csereba are blind when 
they emerge from the egg-shell, and that they do not attain the full power of vision until they 
are able to fly and to get their own living. 
The Scarlet Drepahis is well worthy of notice, not only on account of the position 
which it holds in the present system of ornithology, but by reason of the extreme value which 
is set upon it, and upon other species of the same genus, by the natives of the country where 
it dwells. 
The color of this bird is, as it name implies, scarlet upon the greater part of its plumage, 
the wings and tail being black, so that the two contrasting tints have a remarkably good 
effect. It is an inhabitant of the Sandwich Islands, and is in very great favor with the 
natives, who employ its plumage in the manufacture of those wonderful feather mantles and 
helmets which cannot but excite the wonder of all who ponder upon the singular amount of 
