ither of them; it is much more likely that it is a native of Martinique, since
. . ° 5 = . ;

e certainly killed in the neighbouring island of Nevis. I have, moreover

Z ’

in Upper Canada, but who formerly

reference to his memoranda of the

received examples direct from e
I have seen specimens which wer
received a letter from T. J. Cottle, Esq., a gentleman now living
the last-mentioned island, in which he states, that on

resided in
rved by him in Nevis, he found that he sent a pair, male and female, to the British

Humming-birds obse
Museum in 1839, and requests me to examine them ; this I have accordingly done, and I am now enabled

to state from actual inspection that they are referable to the present species. These details may appear
trivial, but it is really of importance to ascertain which of the Islands are inhabited by certain species of
Humming-birds. Nevis then is one of the homes of this very beautiful bird; so beautiful indeed is it, and
so distinct from every other known species, that it is an especial favourite with all collectors. It is by no

means a rare bird, as is evidenced by the low price at which skins may be purchased; for a few shillings

each, the collector may obtain from any of the Parisian dealers as many of the finest examples as he

may wish.
I regret to say, that although the bird has been so long known, and so heavily burdened with synonyms
>

no information as to its true habitat, nor any account of its actions and manners, has been placed on record
r

J 1 ~ . ‘ 6c Ff 1 1o ‘ x s :

Mr. Cottle states that ‘it inhabits the high lands of the island of Nevis, above the belt of cultivation, and

. . ?

that it never descends to the low grounds unless driven down by a hurricane or some other unusual cause.”
r . . ° . Se.
The other two species noticed on the island by this gentleman are the Lulampis chlorolemus and Orth

rhynchus cristatus. -

There is positively no difference ir rj ces : :
1 y ‘e in the colouring of the sexes: some examples are smaller, and have more

curved bills than others ; these may be females, but this is by no means certain

Head, upper surface of the body, flanks and abdomen deep velvety-black ; wing-coverts and wings elit

tering green; upper and under tail-coverts very much developed, and of a shining glaucous- reat a

exceedingly dark green ; chin, throat and chest deep vinous-purple ;_ bill black ; fest: apuaeenl a .
In the accompanying Plate, I have attempted to represent this bird as accurately as ae : ae ft

all, I find, to my regret, that it conveys only a faint idea of its beauty. _
The figures are of the natural size. The plant is the Mymphea Amazonum.