The POMPEO (_Trogon viridis_) is of a splendid steel-blue, shimmering
with green on the crown of the head, nape, sides of the throat, and upper
breast; the back, shoulders, and upper wing-covers are of a metallic
green, shading into blue on the rump; the belly and vent are bright, deep
yellow. The exterior feathers of the wing-covers and the quills are black,
the latter edged with white; the centre tail-feathers are green, bordered
with black towards the extremity. The next in order are black with a green
edge; the three outermost are white at the tip and on the exterior web. In
the female the back is deep grey, the belly pale yellow, and the feathers
of the wing-covers delicately striped with white. The eyes of both sexes
are brown, the beak pale greenish white, and foot blackish grey. This
species is twelve inches and three-quarters long, and eighteen inches and
a half broad; the wing measures five inches and three-quarters, and the
tail five inches and one-third.
The Pompeo is commonly met with in the forests of North Brazil and Guiana;
and, according to the Prince von Wied, is most numerous in the plantations
near the coast, where its short, monotonous cry is to be heard in all
directions. The habits of this species closely resemble those of the
Surukua. We are told, on the authority of Schomburghk, that the Pompeo
consumes seeds and fruit, as well as insects, and that the nest, which
is supported upon thin branches or twigs, is very similar to that of the
Wild Pigeon; but for the accuracy of this latter statement we cannot
vouch. The capture of these birds, which are usually met with in pairs or
small parties, is attended with but little difficulty, as they are quite
fearless of men; the Brazilians, we are told, are constantly in the habit
of obtaining a meal at their expense by an imitation of their call-note,
which at once brings down the unsuspecting victim, and thus affords the
hunter or traveller an appetising repast.