22 



SYNOPSIS OF THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



2. Eupetomena hirundo. 



Eupetomcna hirundo, GonLD, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (1875), ser. 4, vol. IG. — Sclat. and Salt., P. Z. S. 

 (1876), p. 18. 



Hah. Peru, Huivo vallej^ of Santa Ana (Whitely). 



Head, neck, and breast shining dark cobalt-blue ; plumage of body shining 

 grass-green, lighter than in E. macroura. "Wings purple-brown. Tail with its 

 upper and under coverts steel-blue ; some of the feathers of upper tail coverts 

 edged with purple. Bill black. Total length, 6| in. Wing, 3 in. Culmen, 1 in. 

 Tail, 3i in. 



For the species that are now reached, but two generic terms have ever been 

 proposed: viz., Pampa and Sphenoproctus. The first of these has the priority by 

 seven years. Neither of them were defined by their respective authors, and there- 

 fore, according to the views of some ornithologists, have really no right to any 

 consideration. The first is objectionable from the fact that it is a specific name 

 elevated to a generic rank, especially objectionable in this case, because the Ornis- 

 mya pampa. Less., has never had a second specific appellation bestowed upon it, 

 and therefore if Pampa is accepted the species must stand as Pampa pampa (a 

 very undesirable combination), or a new specific name be given to it. The one 

 bestowed by lleichenbach, if adopted, of Pampa campyJoptera, would but compli- 

 cate matters unfavorably, because the genus with which these birds are very closely 

 allied is Camptlopterus. Under these circumstances I have adopted the name 

 given by Cabanis and Heine of Sphensproctus, for there is no necessity whatever 

 that a new specific name should be given to one of the birds, a proceeding that 

 would but increase the confusion tenfold. 



Genus IX.— SPHENOPROCTUS. 



Pampa, Reich., Aufz. der Colib., p. 11 (ISoS). 

 Sphenoproctus, Cab. and Hein., Mus. Heiii. Th., iii, p. 11 (1860). 



Ch. Bill nearly 

 straight, long as head ; 

 nostrils covered by a 

 membrane. Wines 

 long, shafts of first 

 three primaries in the 

 males, broad and fiat- 

 tcned; the first pri- 

 mary falcate. Tail 

 cuneate. Sexes alike. 



Range. Mexico and 

 Guatemala. 



FiK. 9. 



Type. 

 0. pampa. Less. 

 0. pampa, Less. 



SplienojiToctusjjampa. Guatemala. Boucard. 



