IA TA. &AYI c
LAFRESNAYA GAYI.
White-tailed Yelvet-breast.
Trochilus Gayi, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyon, tom. ix. 1846, p. 325.
-------------Saulce, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1846, p . 309.
Calotliorax Gayi, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 110, Calotliorax, sp. 2.
-------------- Saulii, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 110, Calotliorax, sp. 3.
Lafresnaya gayij Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, Lafresnaya, sp. 2.—Reich. Aufz. der Col.,
p. 11.—Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252.
-------------- Saulee, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, Lafresnaya, sp. 3.
--------------Saul, Reich. Aufz. der Col., p. 11.
T h e present is a somewhat larger species than the Lafresnaya flamcaudata, and, if I inistake not, will be
considered even more beautiful in its colouring, its pure white tail-feathers offering a greater contrast to the
velvety-black of the abdomen, and the green colouring of the breast being still more resplendent. In my
account of L.flamcaudata, I stated that that bird was a native of Columbia, while Ecuador and Peru lay claim
to the bird here represented—L. Gayi. It was in Quito that the greater number of the specimens in my
collection were procured; the remainder are from Peru.
It will be observed that, like the L. flamcaudata, this species has been honoured with two specific appellations—
Gayi and Saulee, both of which were applied to it by M. Bourcier. I have, however, looked in
vain for any character in his descriptions by which the opinion that they apply to two distinct birds can be
suhstantiated. When describing Saulee, M. Bourcier stated that it was somewhat larger than the Gayi, but
I believe he now admits that both terms have reference to the same bird; however, should a further
accession of examples induce a contrary conclusion, I shall be happy to rectify the error.
The present species, which has been dedicated to Dr. Gay, so well known for his scientific explorations
in Chili, is much more rare than the L. flamcaudata. Of its habits and actions, which I suspect are
rather peculiar, nothing whatever is known.
The term Saulee was given as a compliment to the daughter of Mr. Saul, the conchologist.
The male has the head, all the upper surface, wing- and tail-coverts golden-green; wings rich purple-
brown; throat, chest and flanks shining deep grass-green; abdomen velvety-black; under tail-coverts
bronzy-green, with white bases; two centre tail-feathers greenish-bronze; lateral tail-feathers white, with
an arrowhead-shaped mark at the tip of each, broadest on the outer web, largest and most conspicuous on
the external feather, and gradually lessening towards the central ones.
In the young male the tipping of the tail-feathers is much more extensive, and, except on the outer feather,
is bronzy instead of purplish-brown, and the under surface is white, with a spangle of glittering green at
the tip of each feather.
The female has the upper surface of a more hronzy hue, and the under surface white, spangled with bronze
instead of green.
The Plate represents the birds of the natural size. The plant is the Sciodacalyx Warszewiczii.