l occupies nearly eight inches. Few birds
are more beautifully adorned than the male trogon. The head is of a
bright yellow; the upper surface of the body, with the chest, being of a
rich, glossy green; while the whole under surface is a bright scarlet.
The throat and ear-coverts are black, and a white band of a crescent
shape surrounds the throat. The wings are nearly entirely black. The
tail is partly black, the two central feathers being green, tipped with
black. The females and young males differ greatly, but their plumage is
still very handsome.

THE RESPLENDENT TROGON.

The resplendent trogon is a native of Mexico, and, like all its
congeners, is fond of hiding its beauty in the dark glades of the rich
tropical forests. Its skin is remarkably delicate, and so thin that it
has been compared to wet blotting-paper; while the plumage is so lightly
set, that when the bird is shot, the feathers will fall freely from
their sockets, through the force of the blow.

The colour of the adult male bird is a rich golden green, on the crest,
head, neck, throat, chest, and shoulder-plumes. The breast and under
parts shine with as bright a scarlet as the uniform of an English
guardsman; the central feathers of the tail are black, and the exterior
white, with black bars. The resplendent plumes which overhang the tail
are seldom less than three feet in length, so that the total length of
this gorgeous bird will frequently reach four feet. The bill is of a
light yellow.

This species of trogon feeds chiefly on vegetable diet. We may add that
in old times its long plumes were among the insignia of Mexican
monarchy, and none but members of the "blood royal" were permitted to
wear its gorgeous feathers.

REPTILES:--THE RHINOPHRYNE.

The tongues of frogs, instead of pointing outwards, are directed towards
the throat. This species differs from the rest of its tribe, by having
its tongue free and pointing forwards. Its rounded head sinks
completely into the body, the muzzle being abruptly truncated, so as to
form a circular disc in front. So extremely small is the gape, that it
would not be supposed, if separated from the body, to have belonged to a
frog. On each side of the neck there is a gland, deeply sunk, and
almost concealed by the skin.

The body of this curious creature is extremely short and thick, and its
feet are half webbed. At the end of each of the hinder feet is a flat,
oval, horny spur--its only mean