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. MULSANT'S WOOD-STAR. MULSANT'S WOOD-STAR (_Calothorax Mulsanti_) is a very beautiful species of Humming Bird, inhabiting Columbia and Bolivia; the male is dark green on the back and sides, with a brilliant gloss; the chin, cheek-stripes, lower part of throat, a streak on the centre of the breast and the belly are white, the chin relieved by a violet sheen. The back of the female is lighter than that of her mate, her under side is white, and the lower tail-covers of brownish red; a line on the sides of the throat is deep olive-green, and the tail light brown, tipped with black. The habitat of this species, according to Gould, is confined to the temperate regions of Columbia. * * * * * The ELVES (_Lophornithes_), a most magnificent group of Humming Birds, are recognisable by the remarkable tufts of feathers that adorn, sometimes the head, sometimes the tail of the males of different species. The awl-shaped beak is somewhat flattened at its base; the feet are usually small, the toes short, and the claws long. The plumage of the male is rich and much variegated, while that of the female is very plain. * * * * * The PLOVER-CRESTS (_Cephalolepis_) possess a delicate awl-shaped beak, scarcely equalling the head in length; the toes are short, and armed with long thin claws; the wings are short, the tail comparatively long, and composed of broad feathers. The feathers on the head of the male are prolonged into a crest. DE LALAND'S PLOVER-CREST.