ATTHIS.—STELLULA. 361 
At one time A. heloise was supposed to have occurred in Southern Texas, but this 
statement, we believe, has now been found to have been based upon a wrong identi- 
fication. 
2. Atthis ellioti. 
Selasphorus heloise, Scl. & Salv. This, 1859, p. 129; Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 4687; 1860, pp. 195°, 
271°; 1862, p. 96 (nec Less. & Del.) *. 
Atthis ellioti, Ridgw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. i. p. 9°; Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 1147; Salv. Cat. Birds 
Brit. Mus. xvi. pp. 412, 667 °. 
A. heloise similis, sed rectrice extima integra haud ad apicem attenuata distinguenda. 
Hab, Guatema.a (Skinner 1), El Rincon in San Marcos, Chuipaché and Volcan de Santa 
Maria in Quezaltenango, Atitlan (W. B. Richardson’), Volcan de Fuego 35, 
Chilasco and Coban (0. 8S. & F. D. G.8). 
This species was long considered to be the same as A. heloisw, and passed as such 
until Mr. Ridgway discovered a curious difference in the shape of the outermost 
primary, whereby the male of the Mexican and Guatemalan birds can always be distin- 
guished®. This feather in the Mexican form is attenuated towards the end by the 
reduction in width of the inner web—in a similar way, but not tc the same exteut, as 
in Selasphorus platycercus. The Guatemalan form has this feather of the normal 
width throughout. 
A, ellioti occurs in many parts of the uplands of Guatemala, but is much more com- 
mon in the outskirts of the forests of the Altos and of the great volcanoes than in Vera 
Paz. We found it in some numbers on the ridge above Calderas, which forms a spur 
to the Volcan de Fuego. Here it sought a large thistle which grew in some profusion 
on the hill-side. It was also observed on the upper part of the Volcano near to where 
the two chief peaks unite. At certain seasons it has a cheerful song. 
I". Cauda subfurcata ; plume gulares laterales elongate, albe, macula 
terminali rubra notate. 
STELLULA. 
Stellula, Gould, Intr. Troch. p. 90; Salv. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xvi. p. 413. 
Stellula is closely allied to Atthis, but has a slightly forked tail, the outer rectrices 
being without white tips. The coloration of the throat is somewhat peculiar, inasmuch 
as the glittering red terminal spots of the feathers are so reduced in size as to show the 
white of the rest of the feathers amongst them. 
Stellula calliope is the only member of the genus, its range extending from Oregon 
southwards to the tablelands of Mexico. 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Aves, Vol. IJ., November 1892. 46 
