METALLURA SMARAGDINICOLLIS.
Violet-Tail.
Orthorhynclius smaragdinicollis, D ’Orb. et Lafr. Syn., p. 31. No. 23.—D ’Orb. Voy. dans l’Am&\
M£rid., tom. iv. p. 375. atlas, Ois., pi. 59. fig. 2.
Mellisvga smaragdinicollis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. o f Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga, sp. 42.
Metallura smaragdinicollis, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 75, Metallura, sp. 3.—Reich. Auf. der
Col., p. 8.— Bonap. Rev. Zool. 1854, p. 253.
At a first glance this species has a close resemblance to the M. tyrianthina ; but on a further examination
it is found to be more beautiful, and it certainly is very much more rare in the collections of Europe ; the
two species are in fact representatives of each other on either side of the equator, the present bird being
found solely in Peru and Bolivia, while the M. tyrianthina is as exclusively an inhabitant of the high ranges
north of the line. The beautiful violaceous tail of the present species will at all times distinguish it from its
northern representative, this feature occurs in both sexes ; in other respects their colouring is very similar.
The discovery of this fine bird is due to the researches of M. D’Orbigny, who has published the following
short note respecting its habitat, habits, &c. :—
“ This species inhabits the woody and rather warm mountains of the eastern dip of the Cordilleras, from
the 17th to the 18th degree of south latitude, principally in the environs of the hamlet of Cajapi, near
Yanacaché, in the province of the Yungas, and in Palea, in the province d’Ayupaya in Bolivia. At no part
is it common. Like most of the species inhabiting these regions, it lives more on the larvae and the
nymphalides of the small species of Hemiptera, than on the pollen of flowers.”
The Metallura smaragdinicollis is one of the species procured by Mr. Bridges during his sojourn in
Bolivia ; it was also obtained by M. Warszewicz in Peru ; from both these gentlemen I received examples.
The male has the head, all the upper surface and wing-coverts dark green ; behind the eye a small spot
of greyish white ; down the centre of the throat an oblong mark of luminous green ; wings purplish brown ;
tail reddish violet with green reflexions above, and reddish violet beneath ; under surface of the body bronzy
green ; bill black.
The female is golden or bronzy green above, and buff, glossed with green, beneath ; wings purplish brown ;
tail violet-purple, the lateral feathers tipped, and the centre ones slightly fringed at the end with greyish
white ; a small spot of greyish white behind the eye, and no trace of the gorget.
The figures are of the natural size. The plant is the Dictyanthus Pavoni.