MEMAITTHE.A BOIAPARr
HE L IAN THEA BONAPARTEI .
Bonaparte’s Star-frontlet.
Ornismia Bonapartei, Boiss. Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 6.—Bourc. Ann. Sci. Phys. &c. de Lyon,
tom. v. p. 807, pi- xiv.
Trochihis aurigaster, Lodd.
Mellisuga Bonapartei, G ray and Mitch. Gen. o f Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga, sp. 8.
Helianthea bonapartii, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 74, Helianthea, sp. 2.
— Bonaparti, Bonap. Consp. Troch. in Rev. e t Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 251.
Although inhabiting the same country, this beautiful Humming-bird has not been so long known to European
ornithologists as the Helianthea typica, the first description of it having appeared so recently as 1840.
In dedicating this species to Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte, M. Boissoneau states that he desires to
do honour to one of the most learned ornithologists of our time; and never certainly was a compliment of
this kind more appropriately bestowed, since no one has done more, and few so much, to advance this
department of science than that accomplished and amiable man.
The remarks I have made respecting the destruction of the Helianthea typica by the Indian hunters,
apply with greater force to the present species, which, owing to its greater beauty, is even more
diligently sought after; being, however, a for less numerous species, a much smaller number are collected.
Bogota is the locality whence the greater number of the specimens sent to London and Paris are despatched;
but I suspect that this is not the centre of the area over which the bird ranges, and have some reasons for
believing that it is more abundant to the southward, in the direction of Popayan, where, as its rich colours
would lead us to imagine, it dwells in a warmer climate; the bleak Paramos then are not its favourite abode,
but the more genial regions below, at an elevation of from three thousand five hundred to six thousand feet,
constitute a habitat congenial to its mode of life.
The Helianthea Bonapartei is certainly one of the most beautiful members of its genus. Mr. Mark tells
me that the Spanish residents in Bogota call it “ La Dorada,” or Golden Humming Bird, and “ Siete
colores,” or Seven colours, and that it is the universal favourite; this gentleman also states that in the
spring months it is frequently met with near the villages of Guaduas and Fusugasuga, situate about two
days’ journey from Bogota.
The sexes present the same differences that are found to exist in the Helianthea typica.
The male has : on the forehead a spot of luminous metallic green ; lores, crown of the head and occiput
velvety black; back, wing-coverts and sides of the neck dark bronzy green ; rump and upper tad-coverts
shining coppery re d ; wings purple-brown ; throat and chest brilliant metallic green, with a gorgetshaped
mark of deep shining blue in the centre of the former; abdomen resplendent metallic coppery red or flame-
colour j tail and under tail-coverts bronze; bill black.
The female has the upper surface bronzy green, deepening into coppery bronze on the upper tad-coverts;
throat huff; feathers of the sides of the neck and breast tipped with green ; under tail-coverts buff.
The figures represent the two sexes of the size of life. The beautiful orchid is the Stanhopea taccata.