PHAETHORNIS PRETREL
Pretre’s Hermit.

Trochilus Pretrei, De Latt. et Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 20.
Phetornis Pretrei, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p- 104, Phetornis, sp. 16. pl. xxxy.
Phaetornis pretrii, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, Phaetornis, sp. 15.—Bonap. Consp. Troch.

in Rey. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 249.

 

Norwirustanpine the total absence of any metallic or lustrous colouring in this species, 1t is recommended
to our notice by the extreme elegance of its form and by the strongly-contrasted markings of its tail. Of
its history and appearance when flying in its native forests, nothing has yet I believe been recorded; we
may, however, justly conclude that it is a most conspicuous object when on the wing, its sombre tints pre-
senting a marked contrast to the vivid green of the surrounding vegetation. The virgin forests of Brazil,
from the mouth of the Amazon to Bahia, are the situations whence we receive the greater part of our spe-
cimens ; but it is said that it inhabits districts still farther south, and even flies in Minas-Geraes. I have
never seen it in collections from the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, and I believe it never occurs in that
province. It may be ranked among the largest species of the Phaéthorni, and also among the most con-
spicuously-marked species of the genus.

T apprehend that the colouring of the under mandible is extremely evanescent, as in most of the speci-
mens received in this country, the red has given place to a lighter colour, and in some instances to yellow ;
I have, however, specimens of recently-killed individuals in which the blood-red colouring is perfectly pre-
served, and in this state I have figured it. It is possible that at the period just prior to the season of repro
duction this fiery hue may be much heightened, and that at other times a yellow tint may prevail.

Among the numerous specimens in my collection I can trace no marked difference in the sexes, except
that of size; the female, as is the case I believe with all the other members of the genus, being somewhat

the smallest.

All the upper surface rich bronze, becoming of a browner hue on the head; wings purple-brown ; upper
tail-coverts rust-red; two centre tail-feathers rich bronze, largely tipped with white, the basal portion of
which is clouded with black ; lateral tail-feathers bronze at the base, then crossed diagonally with black and
tipped with white, the white extending farther towards the base on the outer than on the inner web; stripes
above and below the eye buff; lores and ear-coverts black ; under surface deep fawn colour with a lighter
streak down the throat; upper mandible and apical fourth of the under mandible black ; the basal three-
fourths of the under mandible blood-red.

The figures are of the natural size.