Gouldia, Popelairia, Gouldomyia and Prymnacantha are all generic terms proposed for the four species I hare
caUed by the trivial name o f Thom-tail. Of these, Bonaparte’s name o f Gouldia, haring the priority, has been
adopted by me in the body o f this w ork; but as the first species, G. Popelairi, differs from the others in possessing a
most singular and elegant crest terminating in two hair-like feathers, I propose to adopt M. Cabanis’s classical
name o f Prymnacantha for this species, and to retain Gouldia for the others.
Genus P r y m n a c a n t h a , Cab.
1 4 6 . P r y m n a c a n t h a P o p e l a ir e i .
Gouldia P o p e l a i r i .........................................................................................................................................Vol. III. PI. 127.
Popelairia tricholopha, Reicheub. Troch. Enum. p. 9.
Habitat. New Granada.
Genus G o u l d ia , Bonap.
1 4 7 . G o u l d ia L a n g s d o r f f i ............................................................................................................................. Vol. I I I . P I. 1 2 8 .
Habitat. Brazil; and I have a single specimen from the Rio Napo.
1 4 8 . G o u l d ia Co n v e r s i ..........................................................................................................................................................................Vol. I I I . P I . 1 2 9 .
Habitat. From Bogota along the Andes to Popayan; and Ecuador, from which latter country I have a single
specimen.
1 4 9 . G o u l d ia L ® t i t i® ........................................................................................................................................Vol. I I I . PI. 1 3 0 .
Habitat. Bolivia.
Genus T r o c h il u s , Linn.
The members o f this genus as now restricted are only two in number—T. Colubris and T. Alexandria. Both
these birds are o f moderate size and o f elegant proportions. The males are decorated w ith richly-coloured gorgets,
while the females are clothed in a sombre livery.
160. T r o c h il u s Co l u b r i s , Linn. . . . . . . . . . Vol. I I I . PI. 131.
Cynanthus colubris, Jard. Nat. Lib. Humming-Birds, vol. ii. p. 143.
Habitat. The eastern part o f North America in summer; Mexico and Guatemala in winter, at which season it
is also occasionally found in Cuba, and sometimes in Bermuda.
I have observed that specimens from Guatemala are smaller and lighter-coloured than those obtained in North
America. In all probability these constitute a race which does not migrate so far north as the United States. It
is probable, also, that the birds frequenting the latter country do not go further south than Mexico.
“ This species,” say Messrs. Sclater and Salvin, “ would appear to be abundant in the winter months in
Guatemala, as numerous examples were obtained by Mr. Skinner. I t occurs at Acatenango, a village on the
southern slope o f the great Cordillera, showing that it chooses for its winter retreat the moderate climate afforded
by the region lying between the elevations o f 3000 and 4000 feet.”—Ibis, vol. i. 1859, p. 129.
1 5 1 . T r o c h il u s A l e x a n d r i , Bourc. et Muls. . . . . . . . . . Vol. I I I . PI. 1 3 2 .
Trochilus Cassini, Bonap. MSS.
— Suecicus, in Mus. Gotzian. Dresden.
Selasphorus Alexandri, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 10.
Habitat. Northern Mexico and California. Found by Dr. Heermann at Sacramento city, within the limits of
the United States.
Genus M e l l i s u g a , B riss.
This genus contains but a single species, unless the very minute Humming-Bird in the Loddigesian Collection
should prove to b e really distinct. The member or members o f the genus, as the case may be, must be regarded
as the very smallest o f the Trochilidae. Both sexes are destitute o f luminous colouring.
1 5 2 . M e l l i s g u a m i n i m a ............................................................................................................................................................................Vol. I I I . P I . 1 3 3 .
Trochilus pygmaus, Swains. Birds o f Brazil, pi. 78.
Habitat. Jamaica and St. Domingo.
Genus C a l y p t e , Gould.
(KaAun-Tij, operta).
Generic characters.
Male—BUI longer than the head, straight, or slightly arched; tail rather short, the three outer feathers stiff,
narrow, and slightly incurved; tarsi clothed; fe e I small; hind m i fore toes nearly equal in length; entire head and
throat luminous.
Female.—Destitute of luminous colouring.
This is strictly a Mexican genus, all the members o f which are beautifully coloured, the entire head and face of
the males appearing as if covered with a mask o f burnished metal.
153. Ca l y p t e C ost . ® ..............................................................................................................................................Vol. III. PI. 134.
Habitat. Mexico, Southern California, and Colorado Basin.
1 5 4 . C a l y p t e A n n ® ...........................................................................................................................................Vol. III. PI. 135.
Calliphlox lamprocephalus, Licht. Cat. o f Birds in Mus. of Berlin, p. 67.
Habitat. The table lands o f Mexico and California.
155. Ca l y p t x H e l e n . * ....................................................................................................................................Vol. III. PI. 136.
Orthorhynchus Helena, Lambeye.
—-----------------Boothi, Gundl.
Habitat. Cuba.
Genus S e l a s p h o r u s , Swains.
The species o f this form are characterized by the great brilliancy of the gorgets of the males. The females are
destitute o f these fine colours. The rounded or cuneate form of the tail in these birds at once separates them from
the members o f the last-mentioned genus.
Vol. III. PL 137.
156. S e l a s p h o r u s r u p u s ....................................................................................................................
Selasphorus ruber, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 56.
Hahitat. Mexico. In summer it also occurs in California, and even as far north as Nootka Sound, and some-
times at Sitka.
Refer to the account o f this species for my remarks respecting its not being identical with the Trochtlm n ite r
o f Linmeus; and also to a very interesting paper in the • Natural History o f Washiugton-territory,’ by Drs. Cooper
and Suckley.
157. « u . . Vol. III. PI. 138. S e l a s p h o r u s S c in t il l a , Could , .....................................................
Habitat. The inner sides o f the volcanic mountain Chiriqui in Costa Rica.
Vol. III. PI. 139.
158. S e l a s p h o r u s ....................................................................................................................
Habitat. Bolanos in Central Mexico.
Vol. III. PI. 140.
159. S e l a s p h o r u s p l a t y c e r c u s ........................................................................
Trochilus montanus, Swains. Birds o f Brazil, pi. 74.
Habitat. Guatemala, Mexico, and, according to Dr. Baird, “ through Rocky Mountains to Port Bridger, Utah.
I have observed that specimens from Guatemala are much smaller than those from the table lauds of Mexico.
M. Boucard found this bird at Oaxaca in Southern Mexico, and Mr. Salvin at Duefias in Guatemala.
Genus A t t h i s , Reichenb.
The type o f this genus is A. Heidi**; and I retain the term for this very singular and beautiful bird, whichin
the character o f its plumage and the colouring of its tad differs from every other with which I am acquainted. The
plumage is extremely soft, and easily disarranged.
160. A t t h i s H b l o is ,e . Vol. III. PI. 141.
Selasphorus Heloisse
Habitat. Central America and Southern Mexico.
Numerously subdivided as the members of this family already are, I cannot pass over the beautiful Calliope
without perceiving the necessity for a separate distinctive appellation; I therefore propose that of Stellula.