THE MALACHITE SUN-BIRD. 20 :) 
and neck, with the forehead and throat in some 
lights appearing deep black. The feathers on the 
latter parts are thick and close like the pile of 
velvet, in which they resemble the structure of 
the same parts in the Paradise-birds, and which is 
not frequently met with in the Sun or Humming- 
birds. We may remark, that in some specimens 
we have seen a pinkish bronze tint prevailing 
over nearly the whole upper plumage, but Le 
Vaillant observes, in his description, that this bronze 
colour is caused by the stuffs used in preparing 
the skins, and that in a fresh state it does not 
appear. This wo have had no opportunity of veri- 
fying. On the back and breast the colours have 
often the appearance of being waved, from the tips 
only of the feathers being of the brilliant green, the 
base being deep black, over which the others lie and 
partially exhibit the dark tint beneath. The wings 
and tail are black, the secondaries and covers of 
the former being edged with green and violet ; the 
latter distinctly margined for two-thirds of their 
length with the malachite green of the upper parts. 
From each axilla there springs a lengthened tuft 
