Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath, on the hind neck strong, with metallic gloss. Wings long, the third quill longest, the second almost equal, the first not so long as the fourth, the second, third, fourth, and most of the other primaries sinuate on the outer web, towards the end; the secondaries broad and rounded. Tail rather long, even, of twelve broad slightly rounded feathers.
Bill carmine at the base, bluish-white at the end. Iris yellow. Feet carmine; claws greyish-yellow. The general colour is dusky greyish-blue, paler beneath, the quills and tail-feathers darker. The whole upper part of the head is pure white; the upper part of the hind neck rich chocolate-brown, the lower part and sides green, changing to gold-colour, each feather margined externally with deep black.
Length 14¼ inches, extent of wings 23½; bill along the back 8⁄12, along the edge 11⁄12; tarsus 1 1⁄12, middle-toe and claw 1 11⁄12.
Adult Female. Plate CLXXVII. Fig. 2.
The female differs from the male only in having the tints a little duller and lighter.
The Rough-leaved Cordia.
Cordia sebestena, Willd.—Pentandria Monogynia, Linn. Cordiaceæ, Juss.
This plant, on account of its large tubular scarlet flowers, is one of the most beautiful of the West Indian trees. I saw only two individuals at Key West, where, as was supposed, they had been introduced from Cuba. They were about fifteen feet high, the stem having a diameter of only five or six inches. They were in full bloom in the early part of May, and their broad deep green leaves, and splendid red blossoms, mingled with the variety of plants around me, rendered their appearance delightful. Both trees were private property, and grew in a yard opposite to that of Dr Strobel, through whose influence I procured a large bough, from which the drawing was made, with the assistance of Mr Lehman. I was informed that they continued in flower nearly the whole summer.