HE L IAN THE A. 71 



Key to the species. 



A. Rump and under part.s exceedingly luminous. 



a. Tail steel-black, rump metallic-green. 



b. Tail brownish-black, rump metallic-blue. 



c. Tail green, rump metallic golden-yellow. 



d. Tail cinnamon tipped with green. 



B. Rump not luminous, under parts slightly metallic. 



a. Tail greenish-browu, yellow patch on secondaries. 



C. Under parts buff. 



a. Tail rufous, white band across breast. 



b. Tail bright buff tipped with green, breast green. 



e. Tail with a broad terminal band of green. 8. 77. dirliron ni.. 



The Helianthife are large fine birds, with himiuous foreheads iu the majority of 

 the species, and all possess brilliant throats and breasts. 



1. Helianthea isaacsoni. 



Ornismya isaacsoni, Parz., Rev. Zool. (184.5), p. 95. 



Hylocharis isaacsoni, Gray, Geu. Birds, vol. i, p. 114 (1844-49). 



Eriopus isaacsoni, Bon., ConSp. Gen. Av., p. 80, sp. 9 (1850). 



Eriocnemis isaacsoni, Bon., Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1854), p. 252. — Goui.d, Mon. Troeli., vol. iv. pi. 272. — Id., 



Intr. Troeh., octavo ed., p. 144 (18G1). 

 Phemonoe isaacsoni, Reich., Aufz. der Colib.. p. 9 (1853). — Id., Trocli. Enum., p. C, t. 741, fig. 4700 (1855). 

 Helianthea isaacsoni, Elliot, Ibis (1874), p. 331. 

 Saturia isaacsoni, Muls., Hist. Nat. Uis. Mouch., toiii. ii, p. 299. 



ITab. Unknown. 



Upper part of head dark metallic-green, a small spot of very Inminous light 

 grass-green upon the forehead. Back grass-greeu inclined to bronze in certain 

 liglits. Wings like the back ; primaries pnrplish-brown. Rump and upper tail 

 coverts brilliant metallic grass-green. Entire throat brilliant metallic grass-green. 

 Breast metallic-green, lighter than the throat; rest of under parts metallic coppery- 

 bronze changing in certain lights to red upon the abdomen. Under tail coverts 

 brilliant grass-green. Tail brownish-black with a purple shade. Bill black. Tarsi 

 partly covered with short white feathers. Total length, 4| in. "Wing, 2^ in. 

 Tail, 2 in. Culmen, 1 in. 



But two specimens arc known. One is in my collection, and one iu the Liver- 

 pool Museum. 



2. Helianthea typica. 



Ornismya typica. Less., Rev. Zool. (1838), p. 314. 



Mellisuga helianthea, Gray, Gen. Birds, vol. i, p. 112, sp. 6. 



Helianthea typica, Gould, Mou. Troch., vol. iv, pi. 235.— Id., Intr. Troch., octavo cd., p. 130.— Elliot, Ibis 



(1874), p. 332,— et auct. 

 Helianthea porphyrogaster, Muls., Hist. Nat. Ois. Mouch., vol. ii, p. 293. 



Ilah. Columbia. 



Male. Forehead metallic grass-green. Top of head and loral space velvety-black. 

 Back, wing coverts, chin, and breast very dark green, appearing black in some 

 lights. Centre of throat metallic purplish-blue. Wings purplish-brown. Abdomen 



