PHAETHORNIS PRETREI.
Pretre’s Hermit.
T ro ch ilu s P r e t r e i , D e Latt. e t Less. Rev. Z o o l., 1839, p. 20 .
P h c e to r n is P r e t r e i , Gray and Mitch. Gen. o f Birds, vol. i. p. 104, P h c e to rn is , sp. 16, pi.
x x x v .
P h a e lo r n i s p r e t r i i , Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 6 8 , P h a e to r n i s , sp. 15.— Bonap. Consp. Troch.
in Rev. e t Mag. de Z o o l., 1854, p. 2 4 9 .
N o tw i t h s t a n d i n g the total absence o f any metallic or lustrous colouring in this species, it is recommended
to our notice by the extreme elegance o f its form and by the strongly-contrasted markings o f its tail. Of
its history and appearance when flying in its native forests, nothing has yet I believe been recorded; we
may, however, justly conclude that it is a most conspicuous object when on the wing, its sombre tints presenting
a marked contrast to the vivid green o f the surrounding vegetation. The virgin forests o f Brazil,
from the mouth o f the Amazon to Bahia, are the situations whence we receive the greater part o f our specimens
; but it is said that it inhabits districts still farther south, and even flies in Minas-Geraes. I have
never seen it in collections from the neighbourhood o f Rio de Janeiro, and I believe it never occurs in that
province. It may be ranked among the largest species o f the Phaethorni, and also among the most conspicuously
marked species o f the genus.
I apprehend that the colouring o f the under mandible is extremely evanescent, as in most o f the specimens
received in this country, the red has given place to a lighter colour, and in some instances to yellow;
I have, however, specimens o f recently-killed individuals in which the blood-red colouring is perfectly preserved,
and in this state I have figured it. It is possible that at the period just prior to the season o f reproduction
this fiery hue may be much heightened, and that at other times a yellow tint may prevail.
Among the numerous specimens in my collection I can trace no marked difference in the sexes, except that
o f s iz e ; the female, as is the case I believe with all the other members o f the genus, being somewhat the
smallest.
All the upper surface rich bronze, becoming o f a browner hue on the h e a d w in g s purple brown; upper
tail-coverts rust red; two centre tail-feathers rich bronze, largely tipped with white, the basal portion of
which is clouded with black ; lateral tail-feathers bronze at the base, then crossed diagonally with black and
tipped with white, the white extending farther towards the base on the outer than on the inner web; stripes
above and below the eye buff; lores and ear-coverts black; under surface deep fawn colour with a lighter
streak down the throat; upper mandible and apical fourth o f the under mandible black; the basal three-
fourths o f the under mandible blood-red.
The figures are o f the natural size.