E R IO O T E M IS M f e M V E S T l S .
ERIOCNEMIS NIGRIVESTIS.
Black-breasted Puff-leg.
Ti'ochilus nigrivestis, Bourc. e t Mills. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyon, 1852, p.
Eriocnemys nigrivestis, Bonap. Rev. e t Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252.
Eriocnemis nigriventris, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col., p. 9.
? vestinigra, Verr. MS. ?
One of the greatest enjoyments experienced by the naturalist is doubtless that of exploring countries hitherto
untrodden by the scientific man, where, ever and anon, an object is presented to his notice which has never
before been seen; under such circumstances time passes quickly—the mind is at ease, or merely tempered with
sufficient excitement to favour good health and an exuberance of spirits; and second only to this pleasure is
that of receiving communications and collections from correspondents in far distant countries. In one of the
numerous letters received from my friend Professor Jameson, of Quito, a gentleman who has so largely
contributed to our knowledge of the natural productions of the primeval forests of Ecuador, occurs the following
passage:—“ There is one species of Humming-bird which I am particularly desirous of procuring for
you. It is an inhabitant of the upper boundary of the forest, and is as black as charcoal, with white boots.
Should I have the good luck to obtain a specimen, it shall be immediately sent off to your address.” Feeling
assured that such a bird was new to science, I replied immediately, urgently pressing my friend to procure
and forward i t ; and at length the subject of the present Plate was transmitted to me. On examination it did
not quite agree with Professor Jameson’s description, but it is doubtless the bird he referred to, as it would
appear coal-black when flying at a distance. M. Bourcier of Paris, however, had the gratification of first
receiving the species through another channel, and from another part of the country, the environs of Tumbaro.
By this gentleman it was named nigrivestis, “ dressed in black.” It is in every respect a typical member of
the genus, and is most nearly allied to E . vestita.
The general plumage of the male is black, with green reflexions, relieved on the throat by a patch of deep
blue, bordered in some instances with minute glittering green feathers ; lower part of the back inclining to
deep grass-green ; wings blackish purple; upper tail-coverts dull indigo-blue; tail deep bluish black; under
tail-coverts lazuline blue ; legs clothed with white down-like feathers ; bill black.
The general plumage of the female is greenish bronze, becoming of a purer and more shining green on
the upper tail-coverts and lower part of the abdomen; wings, tail and under tail-coverts as in the male;
breast coppery green, with a patch of greenish blue on the throa t; from the angle of the bill a small
moustache of buffy white.
Through the kindness of Professor Jameson, I am enabled to figure both sexes, of the natural size, on one
of the fine Orchids of the country, the Anguloa uniflora.