Zoological Society. 408 



the abdomen rich deep metallic blue ; all the under surface rich deep 

 glossy green, the throat presenting a tessellated appearance, occa- 

 sioned by the reflection from the webs throwing a darker hue on the 

 centre of each feather ; under tail- coverts pale, with lighter margins ; 

 two centre tail-feathers golden green, the remainder steel or bluish 

 shining green, crossed near the extremity by a broad band, which is 

 dull black on the upper surface and shining steel-blue on the under ; 

 bill and feet black. 



Total length, 5| inches ; bill. If ; wing, 3| ; tail, 2^. 



The female is similar to the male in plumage, but smaller in size. 



Nearly allied to the preceding, but larger and finer in every respect. 



Hab. Bolivia. 



Sp. 6. Petasophora coruscans. 



Vide Proc. of Zool. Soc, Part 14. pp. 44 & 90. 

 Sp. 7. Petasophora Delphin^e. 



0. DelpUnce, Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 44; Echo du 

 Monde savante, 1843, no. 31 ; Less. 111. de Zool. 

 torn. ii. 1832, pi. 64. 

 Sp. 8. Petasophora ? Geoffroyi. 



Trochilus Geoffroyi, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de Lyons, 

 tom. vi. p. 37. 

 It will probably be necessary at some future period to make this 

 the type of a new genus. 



The eight species enumerated above comprise every member of 

 this beautiful genus with which I am acquainted ; I possess, how- 

 ever, some immature specimens which may be referable to a ninth 

 species, in which case it will prove to be most nearly allied to P. ser- 

 rirostris. They differ from that bird in having the two outer tail- 

 feathers rather largely tipped with white, the lower part of the ab- 

 domen greyish white, and in the ear-coverts being very diminutive. 

 Although I have little doubt of their being distinct, I prefer seeing 

 other specimens before characterizing them. 



Genus Oreotrochilus, n. g. 

 Rostrum capite longius, subcylindricum, paulo incurvum. Ala sub- 

 grandes valentes. Cauda magna, rotundata, rectricibus attenuatis, 

 submucronatis, rigidis. Pedes fortes. Digitus et unguis postici 

 digito et ungui- mediis longitudine sequales. Tarsi plumis ves- 

 titi. Gula luminosa infra torquata. 



Gen. Char. — Bill longer than the head, almost cylindrical, but 

 slightly curved downwards ; wings rather large and powerful ; tail 

 large and rounded, the feathers narrow, rather pointed and rigid ; 

 feet strong, the hind-toe and nail about equal in length to the middle 

 toe and nail ; tarsi clothed with feathers. Throat luminous, bounded 

 below by a distinct collar. 



I propose this term as a generic appellation for a section of the 

 Trochilida, which has hitherto only been found immediately beneath 

 the line of perpetual congelation, where they feed upon the insects 

 which resort to the newly expanded flowers. The type is 



