MOTMOTS. 
5i 
of Hylomanes, which is a bird of small size, recalling the todies in general 
appearance. 
As a well-known example of the typical genus we select the 
True Motmots. . 1 17 . . ® 
Mexican motmot {Momotus lessoni), a species with the general colour 
of the plumage green; this tint 
including the tail-feathers, which 
become blue towards their ex¬ 
tremities, where they are tipped 
with black. On the crown of 
the head is a patch of black, 
bordered with silvery blue, which 
passes into turquoise-blue, with 
an inclination to purple on the 
nape; the eyebrow, forehead, 
and cheeks are likewise black, 
the latter being ornamented with 
a band of turquoise-blue above 
and below; the under surface 
is olive-brown, becoming greener 
on the abdomen, and inclining 
to emerald-green 011 the throat; 
while 011 the fore-neck is a tuft 
of black feathers edged with 
greenish blue. I 11 length tills 
handsome bird measures about 
15i inches from the beak to the 
tip of the tail. Writing of its 
habits, Mr. A. K. Cherrie observes 
that *“ the nests are built in the 
ground, some bank, such as the 
side of a stream, being selected. 
The entrance tunnel extends 
back horizontally sometimes for 
a distance of six feet. At about 
half its length there is a sharp 
bend upward for some six 
inches, then the course is again 
horizontal as far as the chamber 
occupied by the nest. The nest 
space is twelve or fourteen 
inches in diameter, being round, 
and about six inches high, with 
level floor and ceiling. A few 
rather coarse dry twigs are 
strewn over the floor. The eggs 
I am not acquainted with. Mr. Brazilian motmot nat. size). 
