Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, fig. 4, 5, Oct. ed. I. pl. 49.
Wings long, exceeding the tail, which is rather short and emarginate;
entire upper-parts rich grass-green, very glossy, and shaded with
purple, especially on the head, and in some specimens approaching to
carmine on the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; entire under-parts
silky-white, generally with a tinge of cinereous; bill and feet dark.
Female, less glossy, and with the purple generally tinged with brown.
Dimensions. Total length, male, 5 inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2 inches.
Female, smaller.
Hab. Western North America. Oregon (Townsend); California (Gambel);
Mexico (Swainson); New Mexico (Woodhouse).
This is the most beautiful of the North American birds of this family.
It is exclusively an inhabitant of the countries west of the Rocky
Mountains and of Mexico.