76 
GIGANTIC HUMJIING-BIRD *. 
Trochilus gigas Vieillot. 
PLATE III. 
Oiseau-mouche gdant; Trochilus gigas, Vieillot, Gallerie du 
Museum, plate 180. — L’Oiseau-mouche Patagon ; Ornis. 
mya tristis. Lesson, Hisloire Naturelle des Oiseaux- 
mouches, p. 43. pi. iii. 
Among the delicate tribe of birds which we have 
been endeavouring to describe, we have seen those 
only of splendid plumage, of small size and slender 
proportions. That to which we have devoted the 
annexed plate, is a remarkable contrast : it is of dull 
plumage, and of a strength much greater than any of 
the others. It is the largest Humming-bird which 
has been yet discovered, and has been accordingly 
denominated “ Le Patagon,” and “ Oiseau-mouche 
geant.” 
The length of this bird is nearly eight inches : the 
crown, back, the under and lesser wing-coverts, 
brownish-green, with reflections of the latter tint ; 
the under parts are light reddish, mingled with a 
deeper tint, and shaded with greenish on the flanks; 
* This figure is considerably reduced. 
