282 
THE SAVAGE WORLD, 
each year, but in this respect I do not think the genera differs from other 
birds, as all depends upon the length of the season. 
Flag-tailed Sylph (.Steganurus underwoodii) is a species whose special 
habitat is near the equator, but its range is as far north as Jamaica, consider¬ 
able numbers being 
found about a district 
on that island known 
as Bluefield Ridge, 
where every tree is cov¬ 
ered with creeping flow¬ 
ers, thus providing a 
great attraction for 
these dainty creatures. 
The name flag-tail has 
been given to this spe¬ 
cies because of two very 
long feathers that form 
the tail, which, how¬ 
ever, are not so hand¬ 
somely colored as the 
plumage on its body. 
The back of this bird 
is of an emerald sheen, 
the wings a dark pur¬ 
ple, and the throat and 
breast a brilliant green. 
Its length is some ten 
inches, of which the 
tail comprises at least 
seven inches. 
The Sword Bill 
{Docimastes ensifer) is 
found principally at ex¬ 
treme elevations along 
the equator, the region 
about Quito being its 
favorite haunt. It is 
provided with a bill 
of extraordinary length, 
in which we again ob¬ 
serve a wonderful de¬ 
sign and adaptation, as 
the bird draws its sus¬ 
tenance almost entirely 
emerald humming-bird ( Chiorostilbon prasinus). from the corollas of the 
brugmansise and other 
species of the trumpet flower. A bill of extreme length is therefore abso¬ 
lutely essential, since by no other means could it reach the nectar which lies 
at the bottom of the deep cups. The sword bill is very handsomely clothed in 
