subdivision ; but at present I do not know o f any genus in whioh the bird could be more correctly placed than the
one to which I have assigned it.
Genus A p h a n t o c h r o a , Gould.
ÇAÿavros, obscurus, et xP°a> color.)
Generic characters.
M a le .-B iU stout, rather longer than the head, and slightly arched ; wings broad and moderately long ; tail
square and moderately large ; torn clothed ; hind toe rather short.
Sexes alike in the sombre colouring o f the plumage.
Vol. I I . PI. 54.
62. Ap h a n t o c h r o a c ir r h o c h l o r i s . . . • • • • •
Campylopterus campylostylus, Burm. Th. Bras. ii. p. 329. 2. ...
ApAro/ocAroacirrocAZom, Reich. Aufz.derCol.p. 15; Id. Troch.Enum.p.12; Cab.etHein.Mus.Hein.Thedm.p.14.
Habitat. Brazil.
r , H . . Vol. II. PI. 55.
63. A p h a n t o c h r o a g u l a r i s , Cr o u l a ............................................................... •
Habitat. Banks o f the Napo.
Genus D o l e r i s c a , Cab.
The typic species o f this form is the TrocUlusfallax o f M. Bonrcier, a bird distinguished by its tawny-coloured
breast, and by the white tippings o f its outer tail-feathers. I w ish it to be understood that I do n ot include in this
genus the albicollis or the chiomgaster, which have been inadvertently figured as pertaining to it. A t the same time
were I to state that the genus is confined to a single species, I believe that I should be leading ornithologists into
error ; for I have a specimen which, I think, will prove to belong to a second. The evample in question, although
bearing all the general characteristics o f the D. fallax, differs in some minor details, and I shall therefore provision-
ally propose for it the specific name o f cervina.
64. D o l e r i s c a f a l l a x .
T . ¡S I . . . Vol. II. PL 56.
Leucippus taliax
Dolerisca fallax, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 6.
Habitat. Venezuela.
65. D o l e r i s c a c e r v in a , Gould.
Habitat. Unknown.
This new species is larger than the D. fa lla x in all its admeasurements, and has a less amount o f white on
the tips o f the outer tail-feathers. In D. fa lla x these greyish-white tippings occupy both w ebs o f the apical portion
of each o f the three outer feathers, while in the cervina the inner webs only are thus marked ; these marks are
about three-eighths o f an inch long on the outer feather, a quarter o f an inch on the next, and but a little more
than an eighth on the third ; the upper mandible in D. cervina is reddish brown, while in D. fa lla x the upper one is
black. The habitat o f the latter is well known to be Venezuela, but that o f the former has y e t to be ascertained.
Genus U r o c h r o a Gould.
(Obpa, cauda, et xP°a> color.)
Generic characters.
Male.— Bill lengthened and straight, or slightly arched; wings moderately long and pointed; tail square; tarsi
partly clothed; hind toe as long as the middle toe ; nails short.
Female.—Unknown.
Of this remarkable form only one species is at present known.
6 6 . U r o c h r o a B o u g u e r i . 1 .................................................................................... - V o l. II. PL 5 7 .
Habitat. Nanegal, in Ecuador.
Genus S t e r n o c l y t a , Gould.
( 2 tepvov, pectus, et kXvtos, insignis.)
Generic characters.
Male.—Bill unusually large, rather arched, and much longer than the head; wings ample; tail moderate and
rounded; tarsi partly clothed; fe e t moderate; throat and breast luminous.
Female.—Unadorned.
Three outer tail-feathers tipped with white in both seres.
6 7 S t e r m o c u y t a c y a n e i p e c t u s , G o u l d ..............................................................................
Polytmus cganopectus, Gray & Mitch. Gen. o f Birds, vol. i. p. 108. Polgtmm, sp. 22.
Stemoclyta ogampectMs, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil in. p. 13, note.
Habitat. The province o f La Guayra in Venezuela.
We now proceed to the genera Delattria, Creligena, Lamprolxma, Eugenes, and their allies, all of which are
peculiar to Central America; at least, so far as is y et known, none of them have been found to the sonthward of
the Isthmus; even Veragua, so far as we are aware, is not tenanted by any one of them.
I t may be considered by some ornithologists that here the subdivision of genera has been carried too far; but
having once broken ground, and separated the old genus Troehiltts, it would be inconsistent to place together in one
genus aU the members of tins Central American group o f Humming-Birds; for while a certain degree o f unity pervades
them no generic character could be found which could be applicable to the whole. This instance will serve
most efficiently to iRustrate the great diversity o f closely allied forms which occur in the great family of Hummmg-
Birds We frequently find groups, like the present, so diversified that nearly every species demands a genenc title,
while in such genera as Thalurania, Petasophora, and Aglesaotis, the species, though as distinct as they well can be,
possess characters common to all.
I commence with the
Genus E u g e n e s , Gould.
(Evyevijs, nobilis.)
Generic characters.
Male - B i l l straight, longer than the h ea d ; wings long and pointed; tail moderate and very slightly forked;
tarsi clothed; fe e t rather small; hind toe about equal in length to the middle o n e ; crown and throat lummous.
Female.—Unadorned. . . . .
Of this form only one species is known; it is a native o f Guatemala and Southern Mcmco, and is distinguished
from its allies by the gorgeous colouring o f its crown and breast. It is in the possession o f a lummous crown, and
other characters, that this bird differs from that immediately following.
Vol. II. PL 59.
68. E u g e n e s f u l g e n s . ........................................
Coeligna fulgens, Reiclienb. Troch. Enum. p. 3, pi. 686. figs. 4513-14.
Eugenes fulgens, Cab. et. Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 20.
Trochilus melanogaster, Licht. in Mus. Berlin.
------------- Rivoli, Swains. Birds of Brazil, pi. 76.
Habitat. Mexico and Guatemala.
“ This species ” says Mr. Salvin, “ is rare at Coban. The western boundary of the Llano of Duenas is the sp
where I have found it in the greatest numbers; indeed, with two exceptions, I have never met with it elsewhere.
I t is a most pugnacious bird. Many a time have I thought to secure a fine male, which I
tag from tree to tree, and had at last seen quietly perched on a leafless twig, when my deadly
anticipated by one less so in fact, but to all appearance equally so in will. Another |— M — I
knocks the one I covet o f f his perch, and the two go, fighting and screammg, aumy at a pace h ar^y ^ be fcffowed
by the eye. Another time this flying fight is sustained in mid air, the belligerents mounting higher and highe. tiff
the one worsted in battle darts away, seeking shelter, foUowed by the victor, who never relinquishes
the vanquished, by doubling and hiding, succeeds in making his escape. These fierce raids are not waged alone