AGYRTRIA APICALIS.
Black-tipped Emerald.
Thaumatias apicalis, Gould, Intr. Trochil. 8vo, p. 1 5 4 (1861).— Mulsan t, Hist. N a t. Ois.-
Mouches, i. p. 2 5 2 (1874).— Elliot, Ibis, 1 8 7 8 , p. 51.
A g y rtria apicalis, H ein e , Journ. fur Orn. 1 8 6 3 , p. 1 8 4 .— Elliot, Synopsis o f th e Humming-
Birds, p. 2 0 7 (1878).
A g y r tria terpna, H e in e , Journ. fiir Om. 1 8 6 3 , p. 1 84.
Mb. E lliot places this bird in close proximity to A. fluviatilis, from which it differs in the colour o f the tail
and throat. The latter is golden green as well as the breast, and the centre tail-feathers are green broadly
tipped with blue-black, the remainder being black tipped with white. The same gentleman has added A. terpna
of Heine as a synonym o f A. apicalis, as he could not find any real points o f specific distinction in the
description o f the latter species.
Mr. Gould describes the species as follows : 3 ‘ Of about the same size as A . fluviatilis, with an equally
lengthened bill ; the upper surface golden green ; the centre of the abdomeu and under tail-coverts pure
white; the four outer tail-feathers steel-black, margined with pure white at the tips. Total length 3 i inches,
bill 1, wing 2 i, tail H
[R. B. S.]
AGYRTRIA MACU LI CAUDA.
Guiana Emerald.
Thaumatias macu licaudm, Gould, Intr. Trochil. 8vo, p. 1 5 4 (1861). Scl. & Salv. N om en d .
Av. Neo tr. p. 9 2 (1873)sr—Mulsant, H ist. N a t. Ois.-Mouches, i. p. 2 5 0 (1874).—
E llio t, Ib is, 1 8 7 8 , p. 51.
A g y r tria maculicauda, H ein e, Journ. fiir Om. 1 8 6 3 , p. 184.
A c c o r d i n g to Mr. Elliot this species is closely allied to A. fluviatilis and A . apicalis, but has the centre
tail-feathers green, tipped with black, the next ones on each side being bronzy green for two thirds o f their
length, the rest black j the remainder are green at the base, then black, with a metallic green spot on the tip,
which graduates into white on its upper edge.
Its habitat is Guiaua, and the fallowing is a copy of the original description given by Mr. Gould :—
1 Adult. This is a very little species with a long thin bill j. its breast is green as in the others. Centre of
the abdomen white; under tail-coverts white, except in the centre, where they are dark brown; the two
centre tail-feathers bronzy green, except at the extreme tip, which is greenish black, the next on each side
bronze for half their length, then black; the three outer ones on each side bronzy green at base, then
broadly zoned with black, next to which they are green, and lastly white. Total length 34 inches, bill
wing 2, tail 14.” [R g g -j