FEVIEWS. 
7 
very best volumes on this subject. Lastly, in 1849, Mr. Gould commenced 
the publication of the present series, in parts, each containing fifteen coloured 
lithographs, with descriptions. The plates in this work are drawn with the 
greatest accuracy; we do not recognise in them stuffed specimens, but we 
could almost fancy we saw the birds themselves fluttering their little wings 
as they probe into the long corollas of the flowers; these plates stand at the head 
of ornithological drawings. We cannot but tender our small meed of praise 
to the author, for his indefatigable patience in publishing so many and such 
splendid works on this subject. To dwell long on these “ coloured repre¬ 
sentations” would be useless, as there are few who do not know them; and 
all our praises would not excite in our reader’s mind that thrill of delight 
which is experienced in viewing these drawings of the birds themselves; 
second only is it, to visiting them in their own lovely paradise. 
We cannot resist the pleasure of giving Mr. Gould’s account of the Pano- 
plites Jardini, so called after our distinguished British ornithologist. 
“Panoplites Jardini.—This is one of the most beautiful of the Trochilidae 
yet discovered. The means at my command are utterly inadequate to 
give in the plate more than an idea of this exquisite living gem, whose 
crown, back, shoulders, and chest-sides, are clothed with hues of metallic 
blue and green, of such resplendent brilliancy that it would be impossible 
to represent them upon paper; those, therefore, of my readers who may 
wish to view them, must seek an opportunity for attentively examining the 
birds themselves. 
u The native country of this glittering gem is the temperate regions of 
Ecuador, where, in certain localities, it is tolerably common. It is still, 
however, a rare bird in Europe; there are few collections which comprise 
examples, and none, I believe, so fine as those contained in my own. For 
these I am indebted to my good friend, Professor Jameson, of Quito—a 
gentleman of high scientific attainments, and who has largely contributed 
to our knowledge of the zoology and botany of the rich district in 
which he resides. That he may still have a long life to enjoy, is, I am sure, 
the sincere wish of all his scientific friends and correspondents ; among 
whom is included one whose name is familiar to every zoologist as that of 
an ardent lover of natural history, and who has spent the greater part of 
his life in the promotion of its cause—need I add that I allude to Sir 
William Jardine, Bart., after whom this lovely bird has been named by M. 
Bourcier, of Paris, as a just tribute to his merits as a naturalist. 
“ M. Bourcier, who first brought the species to Europe, states, that the 
bird inhabits the hot regions of the great forests in the environs of Nane- 
gan. In the letter accompanying the specimens transmitted to Professor 
