147 
RUBY-CHESTED HUMMING-BIRD. 
Trochiius mosch itus Linn* us. 
Plate XI. 
Trocliilus moschitus, Linnaeus ; Gmelin , 494 Ruby-crested 
Humming-bird, Edwards' Gleanings , pi. cccxliv. ; Latham , 
General History of Birds , vol. iv. p. 330. — Lc Rubis Topaz, 
Omismya mosclnta. Lesson , Ilistoire Naturelle des Oiseaux- 
mouches , pis. lii. liii. liv. p. 1GG. 
This common, but beautiful species, presents per- 
haps some of the most splendid colouring of any of 
the family. The upper part of the head and throat 
are clothed entirely with the scaly-formed feathers, 
which always compose the parts producing the change- 
able colours. On the hind^iead the feathers are elon- 
gated, and form a short rounded crest. In one posi- 
tion, this part appears of a deep sombre reddish brown ; 
when viewed transversely, it assumes a bright cop- 
pery lustre ; and when looked upon directly, with a 
side stream of light, it becomes of the richest and 
most brilliant ruby red. The scaly part of the throat 
and breast again, when wanting the lustre, is of an 
equally sombre greenish brown ; and when held in 
different lights, changes from a clear golden green to 
