AVOSEX-BILLED HUMMING-BIRD. 
123 
species. There is very considerable alliance between 
them, but it is impossible to decide, without a more 
extensive examination of specimens than we at present 
possess ; and copies of Lesson’s beautiful plates have 
been introduced, more from the desire to exhibit the 
curious form of the bill, than to discriminate the 
species. 
We provisionally retain Lesson’s name for this bird, 
and nearly translate his description. With the next, 
the descriptions of both Lesson and Swainson are 
given. 
The individual from which the accompanying plate 
was taken, is part of the collection of M. Longuemare 
in Paris, and was received from Cayenne. The length 
is about three inches and six lines, of which the bill 
occupies nearly seven lines ; the bill is black, rather 
strong, assumes a singular bend upwards, and has the 
extremity of each mandible very fine, and slightly 
flattened. The wings equal the tail in length, and 
are of a brownish purple; the tail is large, and on 
both sides is of a dull blackish blue ; the upper part 
of the head, the back, rump, and shoulders, are of a 
golden green ; a patch of emerald green occupies the 
forepart of the neck, and is bordered by a lateral line 
of white, which reaches almost to the crissum ; from 
the green of the neck, a broad patch of deep black 
stretches along the centre of the belly, and is also 
bordered by the white streak above mentioned ; the 
flanks are of a greenish brown, and the under coverts 
are brownish. 
