AGYRTRIA NIGRICAUDA.
Black-tailed Emerald.
Thaumatias nigricauda, Ellio t, Ib is, 1 8 7 8 , p. 4 7 .
A g y r tria nigricauda, Ellio t, Synopsis o f th e Humming-Birds, p. 2 0 8 (1 8 7 8 ).
Mr. E lliot, who originally placed this species in the genus Thaumatun, has, in his larger work, referred
it to Agyrtria. It differs from all the foregoing members o f the genus in having the under tail-coverts
pure white. The tail is steel-black, with a tinge of green on the centre tail-feathers under certain lights.
The home of this species, according to Mr. Elliot, is Guiana, Trinidad, and North-eastern Brazil.
The following is the description given by the ahove-named gentleman
“ Upper parts bronzy green, darkest on the head, and shading into purple on the upper tail-coverts.
Throat and breast shining metal|e.grass-green. Flanks dark green, with scarcely any lustre. Middle of
abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts pure white. Tail steel-black, the two outermost feathers greenish
grey at their tips, the next merely edged with white at the tip. Maxilla brownish black; mandible
flesh-colour, the tip black. Feet black. Total length 31 inches, wing 21, tail 11, hill along culmen
[R. B. S.]
AGYRTRIA NITIDICAUDA.
Bright-tailed Emerald.
Thaumatias nitidicauda, E llio t, Ib is, 1 8 7 8 , p. 4 8 .
A g y rtria nitid icaud a , Ellio t, S ynop sis o f the Humming-Birds, p. 2 0 8 (1878).
'HIS species, which comes from Guiana, is said by Mr. Elliot to resemble A. nigricauda, hut to differ
, the colour o f the tail. The median pair of reetrices are golden green; the remaining ones with the
mer webs black, except the tip, the outer webs metallic golden green; all the lateral tail-feathers are
pped with bright metallic golden green.
He further describes the species from the type in his collection
"Adult. Upper parts bright bronzy green, with a slight coppery tinge on the head. Chin white,
liroat, breast, and sides of the neck bright metallic grass-green. Flanks and abdoinen dull green,
iiddle of abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts pure white. Wings purplish brown. Bill flesh-colour
■ _ J .J . riVfoi i l M i t ¡nrhra. wiup" tail lie bill along culmen f.