Wi fe
EUPHERUSA POLIOCERCA, EttwU
EUPHERUSA POLIOCERCA, Elliot.
Grey Stripetail.
Eupherusa poliocerca, E llio t, Ann. & Mag. o f Nat. Hist. 4 th series, vol. viii. p. 2 6 6 .—
Mulsamt, H ist. N a t. Ois.-Mouches, i. p. 2 7 1 .— Sclater & Salv. Nom en e l. Av.
Neo tr. p. 9 2 (1 8 7 3 ).— E llio t, Synopsis o f Trochilidte, p. 2 1 2 (1879).
T he present species was described by Mr. D. G. Elliot from a specimen procured by M. Eugène Réboueb.
a young collector for the well-known naturalist Mr. A. Boucard. The type specimen, which still remains
unique in Mr. Elliot’s collection, was obtained at Putla, in Western Mexico, on the Pacific slope.
There are three closely allied species in the genus Eupherusa, the differences between which are set forth
by Mr. Elliot in his * Synopsis.’ In E . poliocerca the two central tail-feathers are light bronze-green, the
lateral ones white margined with purplish grey. In the second species, E. eximia, the tail is dark greenish
hronze, the two outermost feathers with the basal two thirds o f the inner webs white ; while the third,
E. egregia, has the four central rectrices dark greenish hronze, the remainder white margined with black.
“ This species,” says Mr. Elliot, “ is most nearly allied to Eupherusa egregia, hut can at once be distinguished
frotn it, as well as all the other members of the genus, by its tail. In E. egregia the four centre
tail-feathers are black, and the remainder are black at the tips ; in the present species only the two median
feathers are bronzy, all the remainder being as described above. This bird was obtained in a small collection
o f birds procured at Putla, in the western part of Mexico. This is the third species now known of the genus
Eupherusa, which was for a long time only represented by E . eximia. The species are as follows:—-E. eximia
from Guatemala, E. egregia from Veragua, E . poliocerca from Putla, in Western Mexico. Two species named
respectively E . cupreiceps and E. mgrieenlris have been allotted to this genus; but I think that they will
hereafter be assigned to another genus, Thaumatias, to which they seem more naturally to belong.
“ M u lt male.—Top of head and upper surface bronzy green ; entire underparts brilliant grass-green.
Wings purple ; secondaries chestnut-red. Under tail-coverts pure white. Two central tail-feathers light
bronze-green, purplish at the tips, remaining ones white, purplish grey on the edges o f the outer webs and
on the tips. Bill black ; feet Sesh-colour. Total length' 3} inches, wing 21, tail If, culmen I inch.”
The female is at present unknown.
I have in the present case quoted largely from my friend Mr. Elliot’s work; but it was unavoidable, as
there is absolutely nothing known of the species beyond the account which he has given of i t
The figures in the Plate represent males, of the natural size, drawn from the typical specimens lent to me
by Mr. Elliot.