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CALOTHORAX DECORATU S, Gould.
Decorated Wood-star.
Calotliorax decoratus, Gould in Proc. o f Zool. Soc., part xxviii. p. 309.
My collection is graced with a very fine example of this bird, but by whom it was collected and whence it
came are quite unknown to me. In size it is directly intermediate between C. Mu Isanti and C. Heliodori;
although a larger bird than the latter, the feathers of the throat are less prolonged on the sides. It would
be difficult to say to which of the two species above mentioned it is most nearly allied; and it is a bird
which might be easily overlooked in collections from New Grenada, which will most probably prove to be its
proper habitat. Of its specific value I have no doubt. I have a specimen taken out of spirits and given
to me by Mr. Linden, which I think will prove, to belong to this species; if so, the bird is from Antioquia.
The following description and remarks were published in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society ’
for 1860, and, as I have nothing to add thereto, they are reprinted here :—
“ This species might easily be mistaken for Calot/orax Heliodori; but although closely allied to that
bird, it differs from it in several particulars—in being much larger, in having the frill in front of the
throat not so prolonged at the sides (in which respect it more nearly resembles C. Mulsanti), the two centre
tail-feathers finer or more spiny, and the bill much longer. These comparisons have been made with fine
specimens in my collection of all three species.
“ Grown of the head, all the upper surface, and flanks deep grass-green; throat and sides of the neck
very lovely shining lilac; chest grey; wings and tail purplish brown; bill black.
“ Total length 3 inches; bill -f-; wing If ; tail i . ”
The figures are of the size of life. The plant is the Agave maculosa.