Natural History Museum Library

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A GUIDE

TO THE

GOULD COLLECTION UF HUMMING-BIRDS

IN THE

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PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES.
1883,

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A GUIDE

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SECOND EDITION.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES.
1883.
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Price Twopence.

PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,

RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET,

HUMMING-BIRDS.

THE collection of Humming-birds exhibited in the British
Museum was formed by the late Mr. John Gould, F.R.S., who
commenced the study of this family of birds some forty years
ago. The difficulties of obtaining new or rare species from
countries previously untrodden by the collector were much
greater then than they are in the present day ; but the energy
and enthusiasm of John Gould overcame all obstacles; he
lost no opportunity of acquiring, at any cost, species not repre-
sented in his collection ; he incited by high rewards travellers to
go specially in search of rare or unknown species ; and after the
lapse of twenty years he had succeeded in bringing together a
series far exceeding in variety of forms his own expectation or that
of ornithologists generally. He commenced the publication of a
great work, ‘ The Monograph of the Trochilide,’ which finally
extended to five volumes in folio, and comprised descriptions
and figures of about 400 different species.

From an early period he began to mount with his own hand
the most remarkable types, placing as much as possible allied
forms in the same case, and demonstrating their habits and chief
characteristics, and especially the ever-varying hues of their
colours, by the different attitudes in which he arranged the
specimens. This collection of mounted Humming-birds con-
tained about 300 species and 2000 specimens when he exhibited
it in the Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park during the Great
Exhibition of 1851. It proved one of the great attractions in
London during that memorable year; and after it had been

2 HUMMING-BIRDS.

exhibited to the public for a year or two, he removed it to his
residence in Charlotte Street, Bedford Square, where he had
built a gallery for its reception. Here it remained until his
death in February 1881.

It was always Mr. Gould’s hope and wish that the whole col-
lection of mounted and unmounted specimens should be preserved
as the property of the nation ; and accordingly it was offered by
his Executors to the Trustees of the British Museum, who pur-
chased it in the same year. The acquisition of this collection
was all the more important, as almost all the original specimens
from which the figures in his work on Humming-birds were
taken are contained in it,

We can here only shortly refer to some of the principal
features which give so great an interest to this group of birds.
Those who are desirous of reading a fuller account should con-
sult Mr. Gould’s ‘Introduction to the Trochilide’ (London,
1861, 8vo).

Humming-birds or Trochilide, formerly placed in most classi-
fications in the Order of Tenuirostres or Slender-billed Birds,
form a group by themselves *. They are most nearly allied to

SS

SS

The “ Ruby and Topaz” Humming-bird (Chrysolampis mosquitus). (Half nat. size.) ,

* The two species figured in this Guide-book (Chrysolampis mosquitus and Doci-
mustes ensiferus) have been selected, the one to show the general form of a typical
Humming-bird, the other to illustrate one of those numerous wonderful modifica-
tions of structure fitting the species for some special object in its habits.

HUMMING-BIRDS. 3

the Swifts, with which they have many points of their internal
organization in common. LHven their long slender bills, which
appear so very different from the wide-gaping mouth of a Swift,
are much less so at an early period of their life. Mr. Wallace
describes the nestlings of some Humming-bird which had the
bill short and broadened and the gape wide, and, in fact, more

\\ \

SW
Y
\

=—\) 2

The “Sword-bill” Humming-bird feeding on the tubular flowers of Brugmansia.
(One fourth nat. size.)

resembling that of a Swift than that of the adult parent bird.
The bill of Humming-birds, although always very slender, is very
variable in shape and size, being straight in some and curved in
others ; in some extremely short, as in the Thorn-bills (Rampho-
micron), and in others extremely long, as in the Sword-bill

4 HUMMING-BIRDS.

(Docimastes), where it is used in probing to the base of the long
tubular flowers from which the bird derives its food. ©

The tongue is long, composed of two cylindrical united tubes,
and bifid at the tip. It is capable of being protruded for some
distance, the tongue-bones with their muscles being prolonged
backwards and upwards over the back of the skull as in the

Skull of Humming-bird with tongue. a, tongue, bifid at the end; 5, muscle
retracting the tongue ; c, muscle protruding the tongue.
Woodpeckers. The wings have ten primaries, and are, as a
rule, narrow and pointed, apparently most unsuited for a sus-
tained flight ; but they are set in motion by enormously developed
muscles which render the body of these tiny birds much heavier
than one would expect. The sternum, which gives attachment

Front and side views of the breast-bone of a Humming-bird.

to these muscles, has a very deep keel and a rounded posterior
margin without indentation or fissure. The tail is wonderfully
varied in shape throughout the family, and in many instances
highly ornamented ; it consists of ten feathers and no more.
The tarsi and feet are particularly small and feeble, and quite
unfit for progression on the ground. Therefore these birds
seldom or never alight on the earth, but prefer to settle on a
bare dead limb of a tree or some other projection. The eggs
are oval and white, and always two in number. ‘The nest is a

HUMMING-BIRDS. 5

delicate structure, compactly built of soft materials felted to-
gether; its outside is generally adorned with lichens or dead
leaves in such a manner as to tend to its concealment. The
male is said to work at this decoration often after the female has
commenced to sit. Asarule the male is the most brilliantly
coloured, but in some instances the female is also adorned with
metallic plumage.

Humming-birds possess an almost unique power and peculiarity
of flight. The Duke of Argyll (‘Reign of Law,’ p. 175) describes
it thus :—“ The Humming-birds are perhaps the most remarkable
examples in the world of the machinery of flight. The power
of poising themselves in the air.—remaining absolutely stationary
whilst they search the blossoms for insects,—is a power essential
40 their life’... 2's . When they intend progressive flight, it is
effected with such velocity as to elude the eye. The action of
the wing in all these cases is far too rapid to enable the observer
to detect the exact difference between that kind of motion which
keeps the bird at absolute rest in the air, and that which carries
it along with such immense velocity... ... There is another
fact mentioned by those who have watched their movements
most closely—viz. the fact that the axis of the Humming-bird’s
body, when hovering, is always highly inclined, so much so as
to appear almost perpendicular in the air. In other words, the
wing-stroke, instead of being delivered perpendicularly down-
wards, which would infallibly carry the body onwards, is de-
livered at such an angle forwards as to bring to an exact balance
the upward, the downward, and the forward forces which bear
upon the body of the bird.”” The sight of a number of these
birds feeding round some trees which are out in full bloom
is described by all who have witnessed it as being one of the
most remarkable spectacles of the Tropics.

Their intellect seems to be of alow order. In their disposition
(says Mr. Gould) they are unlike birds, and approach more
nearly the insects. Restlessness, irritability, and pugnacity are
among their principal characteristics ; they not only fight per-
sistently among themselves, but they will even venture to attack
much larger birds, and it is said that several of them will com-
bine and attack a Hawk and drive it away. People are often

6 HUMMING-BIRDS.

attacked by them when they approach too near their nests. It
is stated that they have also a great dislike to the large Hawk-
moths or Sphinges, which they themselves somewhat resemble in
their flight, the vibration of the wings producing in both a
similar humming sound.

Humming-birds are extremely difficult to keep in confinement,
owing probably to the impossibility of providing them with suitable
food and with the means of indulging in their long and ceaseless
flights. Liberty is to them life. Mr. Gould succeeded in bringing
one alive to London, but it died two days after its arrival. In
their native country they survive the loss of their liberty for
a few months, and are said to become at once familiar to the
persons attending to them.

Humming-birds are entirely confined to the New World*.
In popular accounts they are not rarely mentioned as occurring
in Africa, India, and other tropical parts of the Old World ; but
the birds thus misnamed belong to a very different group, viz.
the Nectariniide or Sun-birds, which, indeed, offer a striking ex-
ternal resemblance to the true Humming-birds, but differ from
them in the structure of the feet and tongue, in the shape of the
sternum, and other most important characters. Altogether about
430 different kinds of Humming-birds are known. They range
from Sitka in the far North-west to Tierra del Fuego, and from
the lowlands near the coast to an altitude of 16,000 feet on the
Andes. The northern and southern species, however, are
migrants, and retire at the end of the short summer of the high
latitudes towards the equator. The number of species increases
as we approach the equator, the tropical forest-regions producing
them in the greatest variety ; and an idea of the abundance
of some of the species may be obtained from the fact that their
skins have been for many years an article of trade, tens of
thousands being annually exported from Bogota and various
places in Brazil, and sold in London, Paris, and New York.

Leaving out of consideration the species which have a wide

* Tho accompanying map shows the distribution of the Humming-birds over
North and South America, the depth in the shade of colour being in proportion to
the abundance of species in the several subregions.

DISTRIBUTION OF HUMMING.BIRDS.

a

pay ND

HUMMING-BIRDS. 7

range, we find that by far the largest number occur in a part of
South America called the Sub-Andean subregion, which lies to
the east of the Andes from Bolivia northwards and includes
Eeuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guiana. Here live more
than 200 peculiar species of Humming-birds. Next in regard
to richness in the number of species comes the Central-American
subregion, nearly 100 peculiar kinds being met with between the
State of Panama and Northern Mexico. The Patagonian sub-
region, which includes Chili and the west coast of South America,
is very poor in species, but possesses the largest of all the
Humming-birds, the Patagona gigas. In the forest-clad districts
of Brazil, of the valley of the Amazon and adjacent districts
(Amazonian and Brazilian subregions), Humming-birds are
abundant ; but comparatively few species (about 45) are peculiar
to these countries, the majority being found also in the sur-
rounding subregions.

The West-India islands are inhabited by 16 species, none of
which extend to the mainland. Finally, not more than nine
species are found within the borders of the United States, and
these only as summer visitors, most of them retreating during
the cold season to Mexico and Central America, though some are
said to winter in California during mild winters.

8 HUMMING-BIRDS.

i Feat a

OF THE

SPECIES EXHIBITED*.

[Case 1.]
EUTOXERES. ‘* SICKLE-BILLS.”

Remarkable for their strong and greatly arched bills. When
approaching a flower, like other Humming-birds, in a direct line, they
have no sooner reached the calyx with their bills than they alter the
position of their body in a downward direction, so that they appear to
be suspended from the flower by the tip of the bill. The sexes are
alike in plumage, which is rather plain. Three species are known,
viz. EZ. aqguila from Central America and Colombia, H. heterwra and
E, condamini from Heuador.

[Case 2. |
RHAMPHODON. COMA wom”

The male bird has the edge of the bill provided with dentations like
the teeth of a saw; these are absent in the female. The plumage is
rather dull, and the sexes are coloured alike. Only one species is
known, from South-eastern Brazil—R. nevius.

[Case 3. |
GLAUCIS. ‘“¢ ROUND-TAILED Hermits.”

Like the two preceding, nearly allied, genera, the members of this
genus are of somewhat dull coloration, and are known by the name of
Hermits, not only on account of their colour, but also of their solitary
habits. They have the slightly curved bill of Rhamphodon, but without
serrations. Six species are known, distributed over the whole of Eastern
Brazil, Guiana, Colombia, and Ecuador, ranging as far northward as
Veragua.

* This list has been prepared by Mr. R. Bowpuzr Suarre. The majority of the
(sometimes fanciful) English names are terms in general use, or given by Mr. Gould.
The classification followed is that of Mr. D. G. Extror in his ‘ Synopsis of the
Humming-birds.’

LIST OF SPECIES. 9

[Case 4. ]
PHAETHORNIS. ‘¢ Lone-TAILED Hermits.”

This genus of Hermits contains a large number of species, distin-
guished by the peculiar shape of their tails, which are strongly
graduated, the middle feathers being the longest, and in most of the
species all the tail-feathers are conspicuously tipped with white. The
male and female are alike in coloration. More than twenty species are
now recognized by naturalists; they inhabit Central America from
Southern Mexico, and extend through all the countries of Western
America from Colombia to Peru and Bolivia, ranging also into Southern
Brazil. They inhabit also Venezuela and Guiana, but are not found
in Western Brazil.

[Case 5. ]
EUPETOMENA*. “¢ SWALLOW-TAILS.”

This, the first genus of the more brilliantly plumaged Humming-
birds, is distinguished by its deeply forked tail and strong wings,
which, in the male bird, havo the shafts of the primary, or long, quills
broad and flattened, giving the birds increased strength of flight. Two
species are known, H. macrura (here exhibited) from Brazil and Guiana,
and H, hirvundo from Eastern Peru.

[Case 6.]
CAMPYLOPTERUS. ‘¢ SABRE-WINGS.”

This genus differs from the preceding in not having the tail forked.
Ten species have been described, which are found from Mexico through-
out Central America to Venezuela, Guiana, and Northern Brazil, and
down the western side of the continent as far as Peru.

The Sabre-wings are powerful fliers, and appear to be somewhat
migratory. They are very pugnacious, and the males fight with great
fury in the air, the battle often terminating in the tongue of the
vanquished bird being split, so that it ultimately dies from inability to
procure food.

[Case 7. |
CQSLIGENA. ‘* CAZIQUES.”

Tail rounded and rather long. Bill straight and as long as the head.
Four species are known, distinguished by the different colours of their
throats, which are beautifully metallic. They are all inhabitants of
Central America.

* The same case contains specimens of Florisuga, Vide infra, p. 1).

10 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 7. |*
LAMPROLAMA. ‘< GARNET,”

One of the most beautiful of the Humming-birds, and the sole repre-
sentative of the genus to which it belongs. The brilliancy of the throat
and breast are remarkable. It is found only in Central America, from

Mexico to Guatemala.

[Case 8. ]
OREOTROCHILUS. «¢ HInr-staRs.”

Inhabitants of the Andes from Ecuador to Chili; they are generally
found on volcanic mountains, just below the line of perpetual snow.
They. hunt for insects on the ground among the moss-coyered clumps,
but desert these when flowering shrubs are out. The females are less
brightly coloured than the males.

Six species are known :—O. chimborazo from the volcano of Chimborazo
in Ecuador, altitude 14,000 feet; O. pichincha from the neighbouring
volcanoes of Pichincha and Cotopaxi; O. estelle from Bolivia and Peru ;
O. leucoplewrus from the Chilian Andes; O. melanogaster from Peru ;
and O. adele from Bolivia. All these species are exhibited.

[Case 9. |
LAMPORNIS. ‘¢ Maneos.”

The tail is only slightly forked, and remarkable for its metallic
colouring. The females are less brightly plumaged than the males.
Eight species are known, the majority of which are very common in
the localities in which they occur. They are found in the West-India
islands, and range on the opposite mainland from Mexico throughout
Central America to Venezuela, Colombia, Guiana, and Eastern Brazil.

[Case 10. |

EULAMPIS. ** CaRrBs,”

The tail in this genus is even or rounded, and the upper tail-coverts
are very conspicuous, broad, resembling plates of shining metal. The
feathers of the forehead project, partly covering the nostrils ; but per-
haps the most striking character is the absolute similarity of the sexes,
the female being as brightly coloured as the male. Two species are
known, from some of the West-India islands, viz. 8. Thomas, S. Croix,
Nevis, Martinique, Dominica, and Santa Lucia.

[Case 11. |
LAFRESNAYA. ‘¢ VELVET-BREASTS.”

Rather strongly-built birds, with very slender curved bills and
metallic-green breast, which strongly contrasts with the black abdomen,

* This case also contains Hugenes. Vide infra, p. 12.

LIST OF SPECIES. Il

The females are not so brightly coloured, having a white or buff under-
surface spangled with green. Two species are known—L. flavicaudata,
from the highlands of Colombia, and Z. gayi, which represents the
former in Venezuela and Ecuador,

[Case 5.]*
FLORISUGA. ‘¢ JACOBINS.”’

The pure white tail and the very long under tail-coverts are the
principal characters of this genus. The bill is straight and rather stout.
Two species only are known, /. mellivora and F. fusca. The latter
is confined to Brazil, whilst the former has an unusually wide range,
viz. from Guatemala to Colombia, Peru, and Upper Amazonia, and
extends eastwards through Venezuela and Guiana, inhabiting also the
islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

[Case 12.]
PETASOPHORA. “6 VIOLET-EARS.”

In this well-marked genus the colouring of the male and female are
alike, but the latter is always smaller than her mate. The bill is longer
than the head itself, and quite straight. The nostrils are covered by
the plumes of the forehead. Six species are known, inhabiting the
whole of Central America, and extending all over South America from
the southern confines of Brazil to Bolivia and Peru. They are all lovers
of the dense forest. ;

[Case 13.] +
PANOPLITES. ‘¢ GREEN-BACKS.”

Plumage very brilliant in the typical species, P. jardinii. The sexes
are alike in plumage, and the tarsi are booted. Only three species are
known, all of which are exhibited, viz.:—P. jardinii from Ecuador ;
P. flavescens, also from Ecuador, ranging into the Andes of Colombia ;
and P. matthewsi, remarkable for its chestnut under-surface, from
Western Ecuador and Peru.

[Case 14. ]
PHAOLAMA. ‘6 LILAC-THROATS,”

The sexes alike. Bill straight, and longer than the head. The
metallic colours are confined to the crown of the head and a spot on the
throat; the latter is conspicuous and metallic-lilac. Two species are
known, P. rubinoides from Colombia, and P. equatorialis from Ecuador,

* Vide supra, p. 9.
+ This case contains also Hustephanus. Vide infra, p. 14.

12 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 14.]
HELIODOXA. “¢ BRILLIANTS.”’

The tail is long and forked, the tarsi clothed with feathers, some to
the base of the toes; the bill is stout and about the same length as the
head. Four species are known, ranging from Costa Rica to Venezuela
and Colombia, and thence to EKeuador and Peru.

[Case 14.]
CLYTOLAMA. “¢ RUBIES.”

The sexes are different in colour. The tarsi only partly clothed or
booted, the tail being forked, and the bill stout, straight, and longer
than the head. The Rubies inhabit the lowlands of Brazil, Ecuador,
and Peru. Two species are knowu—C. rubinea and C. aurescens.

[Case 7. ]*
EUGENES. “ Rrvor1.”

The bill straight, the wings long and pointed, and the tarsi clothed.
Two species have been described :—#. fulgens, which ranges from
Texas, through Mexico, to Guatemala; and ZL. spectabilis, which re-
places it in Costa Rica.

[Case 15. ]
IONOLAMA. “¢ GORGETS.”’

Four species have been described, of which the one exhibited, J. fron-
talis, is the best known. They are all stoutly built birds, and are
readily recognized by their brilliant spots on the throat. The nostrils
are completely hidden by the feathers of the forehead, and the tail is
deeply forked.

[Case 16. ]
EUGENIA. ‘¢ Rupress Hummince-Brrp.”’

Distinguished by its long and stout bill, its forked tail, the feathers
of which are stiffened, and by the feathering of the tarsi, which extends
nearly to the toes. The sexes are different, the female being more
plain than the gorgeously coloured male. The single species at present
known, Hugenia imperatric, comes from the mountains of Ecuador,
where it is found at a height of from 6000 to 7000 feet.

[Case 17.]
PTEROPHANES. ‘¢ SAPPHIRE-WING.”

A very powerful bird, the largest, perhaps, of all the family, except-
ing the Patagona gigas of Chili. The wings are very large and sickle-
* Vide supra, p. 10,

LIST OF SPECIES. 13

shaped, the tarsi are clothed, and the bill is very stout and slightly
up-turned at the point. The female is much duller coloured than the
male. One species only known, Pterophanes temmincki, which extends
into Colombia, through Ecuador, to Peru and Bolivia.

[Case 18. ]
DOCIMASTES. «¢ SwoRD-BILL.”

The long bill, which exceeds in length the entire body of the bird
itself, is a character by which this Humming-bird may be distinguished
from every other kind at the first glance. Its use is to reach the
insects on which the bird feeds at the bottom of long tubular flowers.
One species is known, D. enszferus, an inhabitant of Colombia, Ecuador,
and Peru.

[Case 19. |
DIPHLOGENA. ‘* RAINBOW.”

- Ranks among the most brilliantly plumaged species of Humming-
birds, and is remarkable for the blue and scarlet hues of the head.
The bill is straight and very long, the tail deeply forked. The sexes
are so different that for a long while the female of Diphlogena iris was
considered to be a distinct species. Two species are known, D. iris from
Bolivia, and D. hesperus from Ecuador.

[Case 20. |
HELIANTHEA. «¢ STAR-FRONTLETS.”

Like the preceding birds, the members of the present genus are all
large, fine species, of the most brilliant coloration. All of them
have a kind of star on their forehead, and the upper surface of the
body is especially brilliant. Hight species have been described, which
are found in Venezuela and Colombia, through Ecuador, to Peru and
Bolivia.

[Case 21. |
BOURCIERIA. “¢ Incas,”

Bill very long and straight; the tail long, broadened ; the tarsi bare,
the feet small and delicate, and generally white or rosy in colour.
The sexes are alike in plumage, which is rather peculiar, and in the
majority of the species black and white, with the crown blue or of some
other brilliant colour. The members of this genus are distributed
through Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru; and thirteen species
are now recognized.

14 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 22. ]
HEMISTEPHANIA. “ LANCE-BILL.”

A very singular form, on account of its structure as well as coloration.
The bill is very long and straight, the wings very long for the size of
the bird and slightly curved, and the tail rounded. Male and female
alike in plumage, which is dove-coloured in the species exhibited.
Five different kinds are known, inhabiting Veragua, and extending
through Colombia into Ecuador.

[Case 23.}*
FLORICOLA anv HELIOMASTER. “ SraR-THROATS.”

The members of these two genera have all fine metallic crowns and
throats; in Floricola the gorget is not elongated, whereas in Helio-
master this is a noticeable feature. Four species of Floricola are
known, ranging from Mexico to Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, and
Keuador, while the single representative of the genus Heliomaster,
H. furcifer, comes from Brazil and Paraguay.

[Case 24. |
HELIANGELUS ann HELIOTRYPHA. “ Sun-ANGELS.”

In the first of these genera the bill is extremely slender, moderately
long, and straight; wings long; tail slightly rounded. A band of
white or buff crosses the breast. Five species are known, inhabiting
Venezuela and Colombia, and ranging through Ecuador into Peru.
Heliotrypha has much the same form as Heliangelus, but has not the
light chest-band.

[Case 25. |
UROSTICTE. ‘¢ WHITE-TIPS.”

Bill straight and longer than the head; nostrils not covered with
plumes; wings pointed; tail slight, forked. Only two species are
known, both of which are remarkable for the brilliant colour of the
throat— U. ruficrissa and U. benjamin, from Ecuador.

[Case 13.]
EUSTEPHANUS. 66 FIRE-cROWNS.”

In the Chilian species (Z. galeritus) the sexes are nearly alike; but
in the two birds from the Juan-Fernandez Islands they are strikingly
different, as will be seen from the specimens here exhibited. For
many years the female was supposed to be a distinct species.

* The same case contains Polytmus. Vide infra, p. 22.

LIST OF SPECIES. 15

[Case 26. ]
TOPAZA. <¢ Kies.”

The character of the tail, in which two feathers are elongate and
cross each other, distinguishes the ‘‘ King” Humming-birds, which well
deserve their appellation, for there are scarcely any other members of
the family which surpass them in brilliancy of plumage. The common
species, 7’. pella, is found in Guiana and the island of Trinidad, extend-
ing into Brazil and up the Amazon, being replaced on the Rio Negro
by 7. pyra.

[Case 27. ]

AXTHURUS. ‘© LonG-TAILED HUMMING-BIRD.”

This singular bird has the last tail-feather but one produced to a
great length, and a remarkable black crest on the head. The female
is very different, neither does the young male possess the graceful
elongated tail-feathers of the old bird. Only one species known
(42, polytmus), which is confined to Jamaica.

[Case 28.]
THALURANIA. ‘¢ Woop-Nympus.”

The members of the present genus do not show any striking charac-
teristic; they possess moderate-sized wings and tail, a bill of moderate
length and slightly curved, forked tail, and tarsi clothed with feathers.
In the males the prevailing colour is green or blue, with a metallic
colouring on the crown or throat. The females are duller in colour.
Eleven species are known, extending from Northern Brazil, through
Guiana and Venezuela, to Ecuador, and thence, ranging northwards,
through Central America as far as Costa Rica and the Tres Marias
Islands.

[Case 29. ]
MICROCHAERA. *¢ SNow-CAPs.”

One of the most remarkable forms, differing entirely from other
Humming-birds in the style of coloration. They are of diminutive
size, blackish, with pure-white crowns. Two species only are known,
from Central America.

[Case 30. |
TROCHILUS. ‘¢ CoLIBRIs.”

Tail-feathers not so much pointed as in the preceding genus; wings
short ; the colour of the plumage not very brilliant, except on the throat.
Two species are known—one of them, the Trochilus colubris, in-
habiting North America during the summer, and migrating in winter
to Central America and the West-India islands. It extends very far
north, and is replaced in California and Mexico by an allied species,
T. alexandri.

16 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 31.]
CALYPTE. “ Azrrcs.”

These beautiful little birds have very pointed tail-feathers, and the
colour of the throat is extremely brilliant in the males. The feathers
of this luminous throat are also elongated at the sides, forming a kind
of shield. Three species exist—C. coste and C. anne from Mexico and
California, and C. helene from Cuba.

[Case 32.]
SELASPHORUS. ‘¢ FLAME-BEARERS.”

, Also in these Humming-birds the outer tail-feathers are pointed,
but the whole tail is very much broader. The throat-feathers are
elongated at the side, and form a shield of brilliant colouring as in
Calypte. The sound produced by the wings of these birds when in
motion has been described as a loud rattling noise, more like the
shrill chirrup of a locust than the buzzing of wings. They may often
be seen during the early summer to mount forty or fifty yards straight
up in the air, poising themselves a moment or two, and then darting
down again, repeating the same manceuvre several times in succession.
Sometimes, says Mr. Trippe, a score or more may be seen darting up
and down together in this way for half an hour or more.

Eight species are known, and these range from Veragua in Central
America to Mexico, and thence along western North America to Nootka
Sound.

[Case 32. ]
STELLULA. “ Mexican SATELLITE.”

Remarkable for its long sickle-shaped wing, which has the first
primary stiffened. It has the throat luminous, with the lateral feathers
pointed and forming a shield. One species only known, Stellula cal-
liope, from Mexico.

[Case 32. |
ATTHIS ann RHODOPIS. ‘* LUCIFERS.”

The genus Atthis contains two species, A. heloise, from Mexico, and
A, elluoti, from Guatemala. Only two representatives of the genus
Rhodopis are known—R. vesper, from Peru (here exhibited), and
R. atacamensis, from Chili.

[Case 33. ]
HELIACTIN. *« Sun-GEmM.”

One of the most elegant of all the Humming-birds ; distinguished
by its brilliant metallic double crest, and Magpie-like long graduated
tail. The single species known, H. cornuta, comes from Brazil.

LIST OF SPECIES. 17

[Cases 34, 35. ]
CH ATOCERCUS. ‘¢ W ooD-sTARs.”

These tiny little birds are scarcely bigger than large bees, and one
of them has been appropriately named C’. bombus (Humble-bee). The
tail is remarkable for its lengthened and pointed outside feathers.
Three species are known—C. jourdaimi from Trinidad, C. rose from
Venezuela, and C. bombus from Ecuador.

[Case 36. ]

“ SHRAR-TAIL.”

THAUMASTURA.

Distinguished by its peculiarly-shaped tail, the feathers of which
are pointed, the middle ones being greatly elongate. It is only found
in Peru, where it inhabits the humid districts. Several pairs are
generally met with together. The males are extremely pugnacious,
driving off every other kind of Humming-bird which ventures to enter
their territory. The sexes are different, the female being much duller
in colour. Only one species, 7’. cor, is at present known.

[Cases 32, 37. ]
DORICHA ann MYRTIS. “ Woop-sTaRs.”

The tail, which has been the principal distinguishing feature of
several of the genera previously noticed, is here still more remarkable,
the centre feathers being so short as to be hardly distinguishable from
their coverts. The bill is rather long and slender, and the feet are
small. The sexes are different in colour. Five species are known,
inhabiting Central America from Veragua to Mexico, as well as the
Bahama Islands, whence two species have been described.

TILMATURA. [Case 38. ] ‘¢ SPARKLING-TAIL.”

Wings rather short and somewhat sickle-shaped, The tail-feathers
are pointed, and the outermost narrow towards the tip, which is curved
inwards ; the tail is ornamented with alternating bands. One species,
T. duponti, from Guatemala.

LOPHORNIS [Cases 39, 40, 41.]

Easily recognized by their crested heads and the tufted feathers or
ruffs which project on each side of the throat. They inhabit the whole
of Central America, from Mexico southwards, as well as the greater
part of the South-American continent, except the parts lying south of
Brazil and Peru. Ten species are known, of which the following are
exhibited :—L. delattri, inhabiting Panama and southwards through
Colombia and Ecuador to Peru; JZ. ornatus, from Venezuela and
Guiana; L. gouldi, from Amazonia; ZL. magnificus, from Brazil ;
L. verreauai, from Colombia and Peru; and ZL. caribbea, from Brazil.

“¢ CoquErtEs.”

18 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 42. |
GOULDIA ann DISCURA. ‘* THORN-TAILS.”

As implied by the English name, the tail-feathers of Gouldia are
much elongated and sharply pointed; the tarsi are “ booted ” or covered
with a tuft of feathers. Four species have been described, of which
three are exhibited, viz.:—G. popelairi, from Colombia, Ecuador, and
Peru ; G. langsdorffi, from Brazil and Upper Amazonia; and G. con-
verst, from Colombia, Discura has a racket at the end of the tail, and
contains only one species, D. longicauda.

[Case 43. |
STEGANURA. «¢ RACKET-TAILS.”

In this genus the elongate narrowed tail-feathers terminate in rackets
or spatules ; tarsi booted. Six species are known, which inhabit South
America from Venezuela and Colombia, through Ecuador and Peru,
into Bolivia.

[Case 44. |
LESBIA ann CYNANTHUS. «© TRAIN-BEARERS. ”

Tail forked, with the outer feathers excessively elongate. The bill
is very short and straight. Four species have been described, from the
highlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

[Case 45. |
SAPPHO. “ Comets.”

These birds are perhaps the most gorgeous in existence as regards
the colouring of their tails, which much resemble in shape that of
Lesbia. They are of large size, and inhabit Peru, Bolivia, and the
Argentine Republic, from which countries three species are known.

[Case 46. ]
OXYPOGON. ‘¢ HELMET-ORESTS.”

Distinguished by a crest and a lengthened beard of white or buff-
coloured feathers, which hangs from the throat. Two species—Oxy-
pogon lindeni from Venezuela, replaced by O. guerini in Colombia.

[Cases 46, 47. ]
RHAMPHOMICRON. ‘¢ THORN-BILLS.”

The bill is remarkably minute for the size of the bird. This genus
also has a lengthened beard on the throat, like the preceding one, but

LIST OF SPECIES. 19

it consists either of purplish or metallic-green feathers. Six species
are known, inhabiting Colombia and Ecuador, and ranging into Peru
and Bolivia.

[Cases 48, 49. |

AVOCETTINUS ann AVOCETTULA. *¢ Avocrts.”

Characterized principally by a short bill, which turns up slightly at
the tip, much as in the Common Avocet (Avocetta recurvirostra).
Avocettinus eurypterus is from Colombia, and Avocettula recurvirostris
from Guiana.

[Case 50. ]
CHRYSURONIA. «¢ GoLDEN-TAILS.”

As in the preceding genus, the tails of these Humming-birds are
luminous, in the females as well as in the males; otherwise the sexes
are different in colour. The bill is a little longer than the head and
slightly curved. The tail is slightly rounded, and the tarsus clothed
with feathers. The range of the five species known is extensive, as
they are found from Guatemala through Colombia and Ecuador to
Venezuela, and thence over the whole of Amazonia and Brazil to
Paraguay and the Argentine Republic.

[Case 51. ]
AUGASTES. ‘¢ VIzOR-BEARERS.”

The name which Mr. Gould has chosen for these curious little birds
is not inappropriate, for the fantastic arrangement of the feathers of
the head renders them easily recognizable. Two species are known,
A, superbus and A. lumachellus, both from Brazil.

[Case 51. ]
SCHISTES. ‘¢ WEDGE-BILLS.”

These diminutive birds are very closely allied to the members of the
preceding genus, and have the bill very similar in form. The arrange-
ment of the plumage is, however, somewhat different. Two species
known, both inhabitants of Ecuador.

[Case 52.]
HELIOTHRIX. <¢ Farries.”

Remarkable for their long graduated tails, the feathers of which
are longer in the females than in the males. The bill is wedge-shaped.
The plumage is also peculiar, consisting of green and white, with tufts
of metallic blue on the sides of the neck. Three species are known,
which are spread over the greater part of South America from Southern
Brazil and Peru, northwards to Central America.

20 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 53. ]
CHRYSOLAMPIS. “ Rusy anp Topaz.”

The single species representing this genus is one of the commonest,
and at the same time one of the most beautiful of all the known
Humming-birds. It has for years been. sent over to Europe in large
quantities for the purposes of decoration of ladies’ hats and dresses ;
and were it not for the extreme abundance of the species it would
have been long ago exterminated. It is known at a glance by its
ruby crown and golden throat. It ranges over the whole of Brazil,
extending through Amazonia into Colombia, and northwards into
Guiana and Venezuela.

[Case 51. ]
BELLONA. ‘¢ GILT-CRESTS.”

In many respects similar to the preceding genus, but recognizable
by their well-developed crests. Two species, B. cristata and B. ewilis,
both inhabiting the West-India islands.

[Case 54. |
CEPHALOLEPIS. ‘© PLOVER-CRESTS.”

The head is crested, one, sometimes two, feathers being produced
beyond the rest to a considerable length. The females lack the crest.
Two species are known, confined to South-eastern and Southern Brazil.

[Case 55. |
KLAIS. ‘¢ FLUTTERERS.”

Of small size, with long wings and rounded tail; tarsi clothed.
They are particularly fond of feeding from the flowers of the Guayava-
tree, which blooms nearly all the year round. The single species
known, Klais guimeti, is rather local in its habitat, but distributed from
Costa Rica southwards into Venezuela and Colombia.

[Case 56. |
AGLAACTIS. ‘¢ SuN-BEAMS.”

The peculiar coloration of the rump forms one of the principal
features in the present genus, for, although this part of the body is
brilliantly coloured, it is necessary to look at it from behind towards
the head to perceive the iridescence of the feathers. The females have
the colouring a little less developed, but are otherwise similar to the
males. The primaries or long feathers of the wing are sickle-shaped
at the end. Four species have been described, which are inhabitants
of Peru and Bolivia, extending through Ecuador into Colombia.

‘LIST OF SPECIES. 21

[Case 57. |
ERIOCNEMIS. ‘¢ PuFF-LEGS.”

This genus contains a large number of species, all of which exhibit
the peculiar tuft of woolly feathers on the tarsi, which have gained
for them the popular name of ‘“ Puff-legged ” Humming-birds. The
tail is forked, the wings are long and pointed, and the nostrils not
hidden by plumes. The colouring of the tufts on the feet, which look
like little powder-puffs, varies considerably with the species, being
black in one, pale brown in another, chestnut and white in two more,
while in the other thirteen it is pure white.

The seventeen species included in this genus inhabit South America
from Venezuela and Colombia, through Ecuador into Peru,a nd Bolivia.

[Case 58. |
PANTERPE. ‘¢ FIRE-THROATS.”

The single species known is distinguished by a brilliant metallic
throat. Head and centre of the breast deep blue. The sexes are
alike in their rich colouring. Tarsi bare. Panterpe insignis, from Costa
Rica and Veragua.

[Case 59. |
LEUCOCHLORIS. ‘¢ WHITE-THROATS.”

The tail is rounded, and the bill longer than the head and rather
curved ; the tarsi clothed. One species known—L. albicollis, from
Brazil.

[Case 60. ]
AGYRTRIA. “ss H'MERALDS.”

A very widely-spread genus, being found over the whole of Central
America, and ranging over the entire continent of South America, with
the exception of Chili and the countries south of Brazil. The bill is
long and rather straight, the wings nazrow, and the first primary some-
what sickle-shaped. No less than twenty species are known, all of
which appear to have light-coloured bills, which are probably red when
the birds are alive.

[Case 61. |
EUPHERUSA. «¢ STRIPE-TAIL.”

Three species have been described, all from Central America.

22 HUMMING-BIRDS.

[Case 23. |*
POLYTMUS. “¢ GOLDEN-THROATS.”

Rather large birds, with green plumage and tails of green and white,
the tail-feathers being narrow and pointed. Sexes alike.

[Case 62.]
AMAZILIA. “ AMAZILIS.”

A numerous group, consisting of not less than twenty-four species,
which are spread over the whole of the South-American continent
with the exception of Brazil, ranging northwards through Central
America to Mexico. Some are found on the highlands, others fre-
quent the hot sea-coast, and do not extend above 2000 feet altitude.
They are fond of the blossoms of the orange- and lime-trees, and in
some parts of Central America are said positively to swarm about the
villages.

[Case 63. ]
BASILINNA. *¢ BLACK-EARS.”

Small birds with brilliant metallic plumage, the sexes being altogether
unlike in colour; the bill straight, the wings long, and the tail almost
square. Two species are known—one, B. leucotis, ranging from Mexico
to Guatemala, being replaced in Southern California by B. wanthusi.

[Case 64. ]
EUCEPHALA. ‘¢ SAPPHIRES.”

In this genus, the prevailing colours of which are blue and bright
green, the bill is straight and the nostrils bare, while the tail is
rounded or only slightly forked. Nine species are known, most of
them inhabiting Brazil and very rare; but some are found in Guiana,
Venezuela, and Ecuador.

; [Case 65. |
DAMOPHILA. “¢ BLUE-THROATS.”

Only one species, D. amabilis, is known, ranging from Costa Rica
southwards into Ecuador.

[Case 66. ]
CHLOROSTILBON. oy ans

Eight species have been described, inhabiting the entire South-
American continent from Brazil and the Argentine Republic north-
wards into Mexico.

* Vide supra, p. 14.

British Museum, ALBERT GUNTHER.
January 1883.
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