ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM, TRING. 51 
pngnacious birds. Some genera, not having any of 
these pecnliarities, have adornments in the form of 
elongated and glittering feathers on the head, or a 
long pendant or erect crest. Some have the tarsi 
bare; others, like Eriocnemis, possess beautiful silky 
puffs on their tarsi. 
The Humming Birds are entirely restricted to, 
America, being most plentiful in the mountain-ranges 
within the tropics, while a few reach far up north in 
North America. Their food consists of insects and 
nectar. The number of eggs is always two, and their 
colour is always a glossless white. About 500 species 
are known at present. 
Leaving this fascinating case, we will proceed to the 
Upper Gallery, 
where, passing through the door, we perceive an 
enormous head, with tusks 9 ft. 3 in. long, of an 
African Elephant, shot by Mr. G. P. Walker. On 
our left we perceive again large cabinets. 
The first of these contains the 
Turtles and Tortoises, 
with the exception of the Giant Land Tortoises, 
which we shall find in another place. Excelling in 
interest all the rest in this case is the enormous 
skull of a Matamata (jChelys matamata), which 
must have belonged to an animal of quite abnormal 
