PETASOPHORA DELPHINÆ.
Brown Yiolet-Ear.
Ornismya Delphince, Less. Rev. Zool. 3839, p. 44.—Ib . Echo du Monde savante, 1843,
no. 31.—Ib . 111. de Zool., tom. ii. pi. 64.
Petasophora Delplùnoe, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., P a rt xv. p. 8.
Polytmus Delphince, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 108, Polytmus, sp. 30.
Colibri delphince, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 69, Colibri, sp. 6.
No member of the germs Petasophora, nor indeed of the whole family of Trochilidre, enjoys a more extensive
range than this well-marked species; for it inhabits alike Trinidad, the low countries of Cayenne and
Demerara, the Caraccas, and the temperate regions of Columbia; M. Warszewicz has also sent it to me
from the Andes of Quindios and from Peru, and it is occasionally found in collections from Santa Fe de
Bogota. Its sombre colouring, and the rufous brown hue of the lower part of the hack and the upper
tail-coverts, at once distinguish it from every other member of the genus ; and the only difference I have
observed between the upland and lowland specimens is that the former are of a somewhat smaller size ; in
colour and markings they are alike.
Head, upper and under surface dark olive-brown ; the feathers of the rump and upper tail-coverts largely
tipped with dull rufous ; wings purplish brown; tail pale bronzy brown, crossed near the tip by a broad
hand of dark brown ; ear-coverts rich purplish blue; down each side of the face M M H M W W
on the centre of the throat a small patch of tessellated feathers, the lower portion of which is blue and he
upper bronzy green ; vent and under tail-coverts pale rufous, with darker centres; bill and feet
brown.
The figures arc of the size of life.