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PHAETHORNIS PYGMXEUS.

Pigmy Hermit.

Trochilus pygmeus, Spix, Av. Bras., tom. i. p- 7S. tab, xx, te

Phaéctornis pygmeus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, Phaétornis, sp. 13.

 

Tuts being the most diminutive species of the genus Phaéthornis yet discovered, the term pygma@us is a very
appropriate name for it. From P. eremita, to which it is nearly allied, it may be distinguished by its
more slender bill, by its much smaller wing, and by the rounded form and more uniform bronzy colouring
of its tail, the extremities of the feathers only being tipped with buff.

The true habitat of this diminutive bird is the southern portions of Brazil. It inhabits in tolerable
abundance the province of Rio de Janeiro, but I have not seen it so far to the north as Bahia, a part of the
country from whence the P. eremita is occasionally sent.

The sexes present the usual differences in size, the female being much smaller than her mate; but no
variation whatever is found in their colouring.

The figure of the beautiful nest represented on the accompanying Plate is copied from a drawing sent to
me by Mr. Reeves. It will be seen that the interior of this delicate structure is formed of the softest
materials,—the wool-like fibres of some flowering plant, sparingly decorated on the outside with thistle-
down-like seeds, &c.

Nothing whatever is known of its habits.

Upper surface and wing-coverts greenish bronze, inclining to dark brown on the head ; wings purplish
brown; tail pale bronzy brown, slightly tipped with buff; lores and ear-coverts black ; line above the eye
buff; rump and upper tail-coverts deep rust-red ; under surface paler rust-red, crossed on the breast with a
conspicuous crescent of black; base of the lower mandible fleshy-yellow ; the remainder of the bill black ;
feet yellow.

The Plate represents a male, a female, a nest and eggs, of the natural size.