e female
humming-birds are generally as richly ornamented as the male.) It is
named from the curious white puffs or ruffs--looking as if formed of
swan's-down--on the legs. The head of the male, the sides of the neck,
and back, are green, with a bronzed tint, except on the tail-coverts,
where the green is pure, and of metallic brilliancy. The tail is black,
with a purple gloss; the throat is of a shining, metallic green; while
the breast and under portion of the body is green, glossed with gold.

This bird, probably on account of the vegetation of the locality, from
which it obtains its food, is restricted to a narrow mountain-ridge, not
three-quarters of a mile in width.

WHITE-BOOTED RACKET-TAIL.

The rapid flying white-booted racket-tail is likewise common near Santa
Fe. It possesses muffs, like the former, and is found at an elevation
of nearly 10,000 feet. It is named from the long, racket-shaped
feathers of the tail, which, when flying, are in constant motion, waving
softly in the air, opening and closing in the most beautiful manner. In
its flight it may vie with the arrow as it darts from a bow; and when
the bird rapidly cleaves the air, the tail-feathers lie straight behind
it.

The chief colour of this bird is a bronzed green, the upper tail-coverts
being of a richer and redder hue. The wings are of a purple-brown, as
is the tail; but the rackets are black, shot with green. The feet are
yellow, with two beautiful white ruffs surrounding the legs.

COLUMBIAN THORN-BILL.

In the same district, invariably keeping at the bottom of the valleys,
is found the Columbian thorn-bill. It does not even mount, as do many
humming-birds, to the tops of the trees, but seeks its food among the
low, flowering shrubs. It is of a golden green colour on the upper
parts, and of a dull green below; except on its curious tuft, which
hangs from the chin, and is of a light green at the base, and a
purple-red towards the points. The wings are of a purple-brown hue, as
is the tail, with a bronzed gloss, while the under tail-coverts are
brown-yellow. It is curious that the hen, though in other respects like
the male, has no beard.

BLACK WARRIOR.

At the height of 13,000 feet above the ocean is found a curious bird,
which, from the pointed plume crowning the top of its head, and the long
beard-like projection from its chin, is very appropriately called the
helmet-crest or black warrior. It inhabits regions immediate