P H A R O M A C R U S M O CIN N O. 
Quezal. 
Specific Character. 
Troy, cristatus; tectricibus caudee superioribus longissimis tripedalibus; supra et ad guttur 
pectusque splendide aureo-viridis; ventre crissoque coccineis; rectricibus sex intermediis 
nigris, reliquis albis ad basin tantummodo nigris. 
Fcem. vel Junior. Capite, gutture pectoreque obscure viridibus; dorso viridi; ventre cineras- 
centi-brunneo; crisso coccineo; capite subcristato; tectricibus caudce superioribus brevibus; 
rectricibus externis albis nigro fasciatis. 
Rostrum flavum, in junioribus (?) nigrum ; tarsi brunnei. 
Beak gamboge yellow ; head covered with long filamentous plumes forming a rounded crest; 
from the shoulders spring a number of lance-sliaped feathers, which hang gracefully over 
the wings ; from the rump are thrown off several pairs of narrow flowing plumes, the 
longest of which, in fine adults, measure from three feet to three feet four inches; the 
others gradually diminishing in length towards the rump, where they again assume the 
form of the feathers of the back ; these plumes, together with the whole of the upper 
surface, throat, and chest, are of a most resplendent golden green ; the breast, belly, and 
vent are of a rich crimson scarlet; the middle feathers of the tail black ; the six outer ones 
white for nearly the whole length, their bases being black; feet brown. 
Total length, from the bill to the end of the tail, 12 to 14 inches; wing 8 to 9; tail 8 to 9; 
tarsi 1 ; length of longest plume about 3 feet. 
The female or young of the year have only rudiments of the long plumes, seldom reaching 
more than an inch beyond the tip of the tail; the feathers of the crest are more rounded 
and not filamentous ; the feathers of the shoulders but slightly lanceolate ; the outer tail- 
feathers white barred with black, the centre ones black ; the whole of the chest, throat, 
and head obscure green, the remainder of the upper surface bright green; the breast and 
belly greyish brown ; vent fine scarlet; bill black. 
Trogonpavoninus. Temm. PL Col. 372 (not of Spix). 
Pharomacrus mocinno. La Llave, Registr. Trim. i. p. 48 (1831). 
Trogon resplendens. Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 29. 
- paradiseus. Bp. P. Z. S. 1837, p. 101 (1826, ubi?). 
Calurus resplendens. Gould, Mon. Trog. ed. 1. 
Pharomacrus paradiseus. Salv. Ibis, 1861, p. 138. 
It is scarcely possible for the imagination to conceive any thing more rich and gorgeous than the golden-green 
colour which adorns the principal part of the plumage of this splendid bird, or more elegant and graceful 
than the flowing plumes which sweep pendent from the lower part of the back, forming a long train of metallic 
brilliancy. Nature appears to have ordained that birds possessing unusual brilliancy of plumage should be 
inhabitants of retired and obscure situations; and in strict conformity with this law the Quezal, by far the 
most beautiful of its tribe, is to be found in the most dense and gloomy forests, remote from the haunts of 
civilized man, which may, perhaps, account for its being so little known to Europeans until within the last 
few years; for although the long plumes were used to adorn the head-dresses of the ancient Mexicans, and 
at a later period were transmitted by the Spaniards from time to time to Europe, yet it is only very recently 
that w r e have become acquainted with the entire bird. I believe the first perfect example was received by 
