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RAMPHOMICRON RUFICEPS, Gould.
Red-capped Thorn-Bill.
Trochihis (— ?) rttficeps, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X IV . p. 89-
Mellisuga ruficeps, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga, sp. 29.
Ramphomicron ruficeps, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 79, Ramphomicron, sp. 3.
W i t h the exception of Ramphomicron microrht/nchus, this is the least species of the genus with which I am
acquainted; it is most nearly allied to R. heteropogen, but may at once be distinguished from that species
by its red crown and by the nearly uniform hue of the gorget or throat-mark. A single specimen only
graces my collection; the discovery of which is due to Mr. Bridges, who brought this and numerous other
treasures from the interior of Bolivia. The only other species of Ramphomicron with a red crown is the
beautiful R. Herrani; but with this bird the R . ruficeps can never be confounded.
Mr. Bridges informed me that the specimen above alluded to was found by him at Unduave, in the
Yungas of La Paz.
Crown deep rusty red; throat lustrous bronzy green; upper surface green; under surface brownish
green; tail pure bronze ; wings purplish brown; bill black.