T he single specimen of this bird forming part of the collection of Edward Wilson, Esq., is the only one that
has yet been sent to Europe. It was received direct from Santa Fe de Bogota, accompanied by other new
and rare species, which induces a belief that it had been procured in some district not previously visited by
collectors. Mr. Wilson, with his usual liberality, kindly lent me the specimen for the purpose of describing
and figuring it, if requisite. Duriug the three years it has been in my possession, I have frequently
examined and carefully compared it with Eriocnemis cupreiventris, under the impression that it might possibly
be merely a singular variety of that bird, but I have always returned to my original opinion, that it is a
distinct species, and have therefore figured it as such on the accompanying Plate.
The colouring of the entire body is a nearly uniform dark olive-green, with a rufous tinge on the
upper surface; the crown of the head and back of the neck tinted with purple; the rump and upper tail-
coverts a very little brighter than the back; on the throat, a patch of scale-like feathers of a more glossy
green than the other part of the under surface ; wings purplish brown ; tail black with purplish reflexions;
thighs and tarsi thickly clothed with snow-white plumes, presenting a strong contrast to the dark colouring
of the body ; under tail-coverts dull bluish purple; bill and feet black.
The figures are of the natural size ; the Cactus is a species common on the Columbian Andes.