PHAETHORNIS SYRMATOPHORUS, Gow.

Train-bearing Hermit.

Phaéthorms Syrmatophorus, Gould in Jard. Orn. Cont., 1851.

 

I am indebted to Professor Jameson of Quito for several examples of this new species of Phaéthornis,
which had been procured in the neighbourhood of that city. In all probability, the eastern portions of
Peru, from the Equator to Bolivia, are the true and proper habitat of the bird. Certain it is, that I have
never seen examples from any part of Columbia, which tends to strengthen this supposition. The species
to which it seems to be most nearly allied is the P. Eurynome; but it differs from that and every other
I have seen in several particulars, namely in the rich buffy hue which pervades the lower part of the
abdomen and the under tail-coverts ; in the zone of rich buff which occupies the lower part of the back and
the upper tail-coverts ; in the lateral tail-feathers being very short, and largely tipped with buff; in the two
central tail-feathers being very long, much broader and of a looser texture; and moreover, having their
apical halves pure white, which renders them very conspicuous, and has suggested the specific name of
Syrmatophorus or 'Train-bearer.

Mr. Bridges brought from Bolivia a single specimen of a bird so closely resembling this species in
general appearance, that I am inclined to think it may be a female of the present bird, the chief differences
being its smaller size, and the somewhat narrower form of the apical halves of the central tail-feathers : it

may, however, prove to be distinct.

Crown of the head and back of the neck dark brown, most of the feathers narrowly edged with buff;
back and shoulders bronzy green, with crescentic bands of buff; rump and upper tail-coverts rich buff,
forming a conspicuous mark; chin white; a buffy-white mark surmounts the eye, and extends backward
down the sides of the neck; chest, abdomen, and under tail-coverts rich buff; basal half of the two central
tail-feathers black on the edges, and green in the centre; their apical half white; lateral feathers greyish
black, largely tipped with buff; wings purplish brown; upper mandible blackish brown; under mandible
orange-red ; feet brown.

The figures are of the natural size. The beautiful plant is the Rondeletia versicolor.