PHAETHORNIS INTERMEDIUS.
Middle-sized Hermit.
T ro ch ilu s in te rm e d in s , Less. L es Troch., p. 6 5 . pi. 19.
P h c e to r n is in te rm e d in s , Gray and Mitch. Gen. o f B irds, vol. i. p. 104, P h c e to rn is, sp. 8 .
P h a e to r n i s in te rm e d in s , Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 6 7 , P h a e to r n is , sp. 8 .
T h e members o f the genus Phaethornis form a distinct and well-marked section of the Trochilidae, and as
the species are very numerous and very widely dispersed, they must play a considerable part in the economy
o f nature in the portions o f the country they frequent; the present bird is an inhabitant of Brazil, to which
country I believe it to be solely confined: from the notes of Mr. Reeves I learn that it is very common in
all the virgin forests near Rio de Janeiro, and that its habits and economy closely resemble those of P .
Eurynome, and the other members o f the genus. It is by no means an attractive species, either in its
colouring or in any other particular, and is indeed more sombre in its general appearance than any of its
allies.
The only external differences between the sexes consists in the somewhat larger size and bolder style of
markings o f the male.
General hue o f the upper surface bronzy brown, glossed with green on the back and wing-coverts; wings
purplish brown ; lateral tail-feathers bronzy green deepening into blackish brown near the tip, at which is
an arrow-head shaped mark o f white tinged with buff, the buff tinge predominating on the two outer
feathers ; two central tail-feathers bronzy green for two-thirds o f their length, the remaining apical third
beiug white: above the eye a streak o f buff; lores and ear-coverts dark brown, beneath which is another
stripe o f buff; throat dark brown, under surface buff clouded with olive-brown on the sides of the neck and
flanks; upper mandible and tip o f the under one blackish brown, basal half o f the latter buff; feet yellow
or flesh-coloured.
The figures are o f the natural size.