PHAE THORNI S PYGM^US .
Pig*my Hermit.
T ro ch ilu s p y gm c eu s, S p ix , Av . Bras., tom. i. p. 7 8 . tab. lx x x . fig. 1.
P h a e to r n i s p y gm c eu s, Bon ap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 6 8 , P h a e to r n i s , sp. 13.
T h i s being the most diminutive species o f the genus Phaethornis yet discovered, the term pygmceus is a very
appropriate name for it. From P . eremita, to which it is nearly allied, it may be distinguished by its
more slender bill, by its much smaller wing, and by the rounded form and more uniform bronzy colouring
o f its tail, the extremities o f the feathers only being tipped with buff.
The true habitat o f this diminutive bird is the southern portions o f Brazil. It inhabits in tolerable
abundance the province o f Rio de Janeiro, but I have not seen it so far to the north as Bahia, a part o f the
country from whence the P . eremita is occasionally sent.
The sexes present the usual differences in size, the female being much smaller than her mate; but no
variation whatever is fouud in their colouring.
The figure o f the beautiful nest represented on the accompanying Plate is copied from a drawing sent to
me by Mr. Reeves. It will be seen that the interior o f this delicate structure is formed of the softest
materials,— the wool-like fibres o f some flowering plant, sparingly decorated on the outside with thistle-
down-like seeds, &c.
Nothing whatever is known o f its habits.
Upper surface and wing-coverts greenish bronze, inclining to dark brown on the head; wings purplish
brown ; tail pale bronzy brown, slightly tipped with buff; lores and ear-coverts black; line above the eye
buff; rump and upper tail-coverts deep rust-red ; under surface paler rust-red, crossed on the breast with a
conspicuous crescent o f black ; base o f the lower mandible fleshy-yellow; the remainder o f the bill black ;
feet yellow.
The Plate represents a male, a female, a nest and eggs, of the natural size.