PETASOPHORA IOLATA.
Bolivian Violet-Ear.
Petasophora iolata, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., P a rt xv. p. 9.
Polytmus iolatits, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 108, Polytmus, sp. 28.
Colibri jo la ta , Bonap. Gonsp. Gen. Av., p. 69, Colibri, sp. 4.
Aithough the colouring of this species is precisely similar to that of P. Amis, I have always regarded it
as distinct, and in confirmation of this view, I may state thatgjfis of much larger size, that it has a longer
and more curved form of bill, and that it moreover inhabits a different country. It is true that the two
species inosculate in Peru, but the trne habitat and breeding place of the present bird is Bolivia, whence it
extends southward to the confines of Chili and eastward to Chuquesaca, from which latter district I have
received numerous examples both of the bird and its nest. Mr. Bonelli informs me that it arrives there
in September and October, and is then very common in the valleys among the fields of maize ; after breeding
and rearing its young, it migrates to the more congenial country of Peru, and there remains during the
months of winter. . . .
In the southern countries above mentioned the P. Iolata forms a beautiful representative of the P Anais
of the comparatively northern provinces of Columbia and the Caraccas. Should it be considered that I
have drawn too nice a distinction in describing this bird as distinct, it must be admitted, that ,t is a very
well marked race, and well worthy of being figured. H H j , . , . . .
The sexes exhibit the same difference of size, and the same similarity of colouring, that is observable in
P A m is ; like that species, too, it is said to be of a most pugnacious disposition
Head all the upper surface, wing-coverts and Hanks rich shining green, glossed in some specimens with
gold • Wings purplish brow,, ¡ tail deep bluish green, crossed near the tip with a broad chidybeate band, the
fw o c e n J feathers tinged with golden, and the tips of all shining green ; chin line under the eye, g g Hi centre of the abdomen, rich shining purplish blue ¡ throat and breast luminous green, presenting
coverts and centre „ ¡„ „ .a bv the refiexion from the webs throwing a darker hue on the centre of
a tessellated g— ! ■ centre with gree..; hill black; feet blackish hrowu.
“t h e Plate represents two males and a female of the natural size. The plant is the Vriesia glaucopbylla.