(_Life size_) (Gould)
]
According to Mr. Reeves, "the Amethyst inhabits the interior provinces of
Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Novo Fribourgo, and Minos Gerves, but is nowhere
very common; it frequents gardens when the orange-trees are in flower,
the valleys when the marrioneira is blooming, and the forests when the
blossoms elsewhere are no longer inviting. It arrives in Rio in July, is
most numerous in September and October, and departs again on the approach
of the hot season. Its nest is invariably placed in the highest and driest
trees."
[Illustration: THE AMETHYST HUMMING BIRD (_Calliphlox amethystina_).]
* * * * *
The WOOD-STARS (_Calothorax_, or _Lucifer_) are principally
distinguishable by the peculiar formation of the male bird's tail, which
is much forked, and composed of short, stiff, narrow feathers; in some
species the exterior tail-feathers are very short and almost without web.
The tail of the female is straight, and her wings of moderate size; the
beak is long, thin, and slightly curved.