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PURPLE HUMMING-BIRD. 
Trochilm cceligena. — Lesson. 
PLATE IV. 
L .1 Cceligene ; Ornismya ceeligena, Lesson, Trochilidees, 
p. 141. pi. liii. 
Lesson’s beautiful plate has served us for the il- 
lustration of this species, remarkable no less for its 
beauty than for its rarity, and the unusual tint which 
the plumage assumes. The only specimen which 
has come under his observation is one which he re- 
ceived from M. Florent Prevost, to whom it was 
sent fi'ora Mexico. 
The general tint of the plumage of this bird is 
purple, possessing the changing hues so common in 
the family; and above, it varies from a rich violet to 
a brilliant and sparkling red, while below, it is tem- 
pered in the shade with a chaste and beautiful grey 
The whole upper parts are of this rich purplish-red, 
but the feathers are banded with a darker and paler 
shade, without so much metallic lustre, and the 
plumage of the lower part of the hack and tail-co- 
verts assumes a golden greenish lustre, the only part 
of the plumage where this colour, so general, is seen. 
On the throat and breast, the feathers are of a deli- 
