F lW iT H O M IS SVKMaflTOMOmiUS, G oM
PHAÉTHORNIS SYRMATOPHORU S, Gould.
Train-bearing’ Hermit.
P h a é th o r n i s S y rm a to p h o ru s , Gould in Jard. Orn. Cont., 1851.
I am indebted to Professor Jameson o f Quito, for several examples of this new species o f Phaéthornis,
which had been procured in the neighbourhood o f that city. In all probability, the eastern portions of
Peru, from the Equator to Bolivia, are the true and proper habitat o f the bird. Certain it is, that I have
never seen examples from any part o f Columbia, which tends to strengthen this supposition. The species
to which it seems to be most nearly allied is the P . Eurynome; but it differs from that and every other I
have seen in several particulars, namely, in the rich huffy hue which pervades the lower part o f the
abdomen and the under tail-coverts; in the zone o f rich buff which occupies the lower part o f the back and
the upper tail-coverts; in the lateral tail-feathers being very short, and largely tipped with buff; in the two
central tail-feathers being very long, much broader and o f a looser texture; and moreover, having their
apical halves pure white, which renders them very conspicuous, and has suggested the specific name of
Syrmatophorus or Train-bearer.
Mr. Bridges brought from Bolivia a single specimen o f a bird so closely resembling this species in
general appearance, that I am inclined to think it may be a female o f the present bird, the chief differences
being its smaller size, and the somewhat narrower form o f the apical halves o f the central tail-feathers: it
may, however, prove to be distinct.
Crown o f the head and back o f the neck dark brown, most o f the feathers narrowly edged with buff;
back and shoulders bronzy green, with crescentic bands o f buff; rump and upper tail-coverts rich buff,
forming a conspicuous mark; chin white; a buffy-white mark surmounts the eye, and extends backward
down the sides o f the neck; chest, abdomen, and under tail-coverts rich buff; basal half o f the two central
tail-feathers black on the edges, and green in the centre; their apical half white; lateral feathers greyish
black, largely tipped with buff; wings purplish brown; upper mandible blackish brown; under mandible
orange-red; feet brown.
The figures are o f the natural size. The beautiful plant is the Rondeletia versicolor.