TNO DU CATON

xxiv

Vol. IIL. Pl. 178.

199, PreRoPpHANES TEMMINCKI ; :
Enum. p. 11; Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein,

Pterophanes Temmincki, Reichenb. Aufz.
Theil iii. p. 80.
Habitat. New Granada and Ecuador.

ank with the Patagona gigas among the very ]
ng of their plumage they are very

der Col. p. 14; Id. Troch.

I t i 2 mus ar gest of th Humm no -B ds 5

the two species are nearly equal in ecu
erate portion of the Andes, over which it ranges for

different. ‘The native country of the P. Temmincki is the temp
distance from Bogota, the probable centre of its area.

This fine bird is rendered a very striku

Pacrabl I have also seen specimens from Ecuador,
a considerable

where it appears to be scarce, 1g species by the beautiful blue colouring of
its wings.
Genus Acimactis, Gould.
( Aydaia, splendor, et axris, radius solaris. )
Generic characters.
Male.—Bill rather short, depressed at the base, and straight ;
forked when closed ; tarsi partially clothed ; feet

wings long and powerful ; primaries, particularly

the outer one, sickle-shaped ; tail moderately large, and slightly

strong and powerful; hind toe and nail longer than the middle toe and nail; breast ornamented with a tuft of

lengthened plumes ; back luminous when viewed from behind.

The birds for which I instituted the above genus have always greatly interested me. They are of large size,
have very ample wings, and are distinguished from all other Humming-Birds by their luminous backs, of which the
rich and glittering hues are only perceptible when viewed from behind, or reversely to the direction of the feathers—

contrary to the law which regulates the disposition of the colouring in all the other genera, except in Celigena,
where it is slightly apparent. All the species are natives of the Andes, over which they roam from the northern
part of New Granada to Bolivia. The latter country is the cradle of the Agleactis Castelnaudi and the richly

coloured A. Pamela. These extraordinary birds, to which I have given the trivial name of Sunbeams, are among

the most wonderful of the Trochilide.

200. AGLAACTIS CUPRIPENNIS . : : : : : ; : : VoL. El Y79:
Aglaiactis cupripennis, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 69.
Habitat. New Granada.
Professor Jameson and Mr. Fraser state that “The females of this species have the glittering back, but not so

brilliant as in the males.’ —Jbis, vol. i. p. 400.

201. AcLactTis ANQUATORIALIS.

Aglavactis aequatorialis, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 70, note.

Habitat. Ecuador.

This bird is considered distinct from H. cupripennis by Dr. Cabanis; but the only difference I can perceive
between this and Bogota specimens is in its larger size and longer wing; but if this be admitted as a species,
I must further increase the list by calling another parvula, of which I have two specimens shot by M. Warszewicz

in Peru or Bolivia; for the precise locality is unknown to me.

202. AGLHACTIS PARVULA, Gould.

Habitat. Peru, or Bolivia.

This bird has a much shorter bill, is of a deeper red on the under-surface, more red in the tail, and altogether
of much smaller size.

Total length 4 inches ; bill +4; wing 3; tail 12.

6

203. AGLA&ACTIS CAUMATONOTA, Gould.
Agleactis caumatonotus, Gould in Proc. Zool. Soc. part xvi. 1848 Wake
Habitat. Peru, or Bolivia.

Jescri 7 me as ve fr 31 speci 1

Described by me as above from a single specimen said to have been procured in Peru, which differs from the

preceding in being of smaller size and in the darker hue of the luminous portion of the back
x a .

204. Acua&actrs CASTELNAUDI

Vol. III. Pl. 180.

Aglaeactis Castelnaudi, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 9.

Helanthea Castelnaudi, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 6, pl. 739. fies. 4694-95