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INTRODUCTION.

XXXV1

pt in the genus Aithurus, where it is exceeded by the

of which is the longest, exce
diminutive; tail consisting of ten feathers. The

quill-feather or primary
second ; primaries ten in number; tarsi and feet very

entire structure adapted for aérial progression.

Subfamily I. PHAETHORNITHIN.

: ss aes } i ising the genera Yy pus
I commence my first volume with that well-marked section of the family comprising the g a Grypus,

The members of all these genera are remarkable for being destitute of

Eutoxeres, Phaéthornis, and their allies.
’ implies, for affecting dark and gloomy situations. They

metallic brilliancy, and, as their trivial name of ‘“ hermits

constitute, perhaps, the only group of the great family of Humming-Birds which frequent the interior of the

forests, and there obtain their insect food, some from the undersides of the leaves of the great trees, while others

assiduously explore their stems in search of such lurking insects as may be concealed in the crevices of the bark.

It has been said that spiders constitute the food of many species of this group ;
for we find the bills admirably adapted fur their capture, particularly those of Grypus and Eutoweres. To indivi-

and I believe that such is the case,

dualize by name any particular country in South America in which these birds are found is unnecessary, for they
are generally distributed over its temperate and hotter portions; but they are not to be met with either very far
north or very far south of the equator; that is to say, their range is bounded northwardly by Southern Mexico,
and southwardly by Bolivia. Within these limits, the high and the low lands are alike tenanted by them; but it
is in the equatorial region that they are the most numerous, and where all, or nearly all, the genera have represen-
tatives. In the colouring of their plumage the sexes are generally alike. As a whole, they form a well-marked

division, distinguished by their own especial peculiarities of form and style of plumage.

Genus Gryrus, Spier.

This form, which comprises two species, both natives of Brazil, is remarkable for the bill of the male being

different in structure from that of the female.

1. GRYPUS N&VIUS . ‘ : : : : ; ‘ : : : : ; : d Vol. I. Plt 1.

Phathornis nevius, Jard. Nat. Lib. Humming-Birds, vol. ii. p. 152.
Ramphodon nevius, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 15 ; Id. Troch. Enum. p. 12; Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 3.

Habitat. South-eastern Brazil.

2. Grypus Sprxi, Gould

‘ : Wolk i, 1B @.
Ramphodon chrysurus, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p- 15; Id. Troch. Enum. p. 12?
Habitat. Brazil.

The law of adaptation is perhaps equally carried out in every one of the multiplied for

ms, not only of ornitho-
logy, but of every other department of n :

-e’s works. eac } . .
ature’s works, each being constructed for some given purpose contributing

to the well-being of the ani ; in some ins ;
2 animal; in some instances, however, particular developments are more striking and sin-
5

gular than in others ; Thi 3 i
cule é ers. The form to which the generic name of Eutoveres has been given is a case in point. Of this

ves of the Andes of Ecuador, N

; a » New Granada, and
It would be most interesting to become acquainted with their peculiar modes of life
what end their singularly curved bills were designed.

remarkable genus two species are known, both of which are nati
Veragua.

, , and to ascertain for
aa ; Some persons affirm that it is for the purpose of probing the
scaly Ting of the upright stems of certain trees, and others for the exploration of :

neta ; ; eculiar - "s
such as that of the orchid which I have figured in the pl E caper ed ee

ate of Eutoweres Aquila. Whatever may be the design,

future research must determine it; all that we at present know is, that this
o

ee, form does exist, and that there is no
7 n size the two species are very similar; but there
characters by which they may be distinguished

other which approaches to it.
are good and plain specific
So

, and which will, I trust, be s 1
plates in which the birds are represented. ; ee ute ek