u 



SYNOPSIS OF THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



8. Helianthea dichroura. 



Hclianthea dicTiroura, Taczanow., V. Z. S. (1874), p. 138.— Elliot, Ibis (1874), p. 334. 

 Calligenia dichroura, Muls., Ilist. Nat. Ois. Mouch., vol. ii, p. 309. 



Hah. Maraynioc, Peru. 



Ilcde. Closely resembling the ff. osculans. The under surface, with the excep- 

 tion of the lower portion of abdomen and tail coverts, dark green. The principal 

 diflfercnce is in the tail, which has the terminal third part bronze-green, forming a 

 conspicuous apical band. Maxilla black, mandible flesli-color, tip black. Total 

 length, b\ in. Wing, 3| in. Tail, 2\ in. Culmen, 1.^ in. (Type, Taczanowski.) 



Female. Unknown. 



The members of the next genus Bourcieria are of about the same size as those 

 of the previous one, and present a variety of coloration, from black and white to 

 metallic-greens and other hues. They possess the same long straight bills as are 

 seen among the species of Helianthea. I have retained in this genus the species 

 usually separated in the term LAMrROPTGiA, as I perceive no generic charactc-rs to 

 distinguish them. Tlie only one advanced by any author is that of color, which in 

 my ojnnion should never be regarded as alone sufficient to establish a genus ; and 

 of those who think otherwise, it might be asked how such species as B. conradi 

 and inca could be placed in the same genus or left with torquata and fidgidiguJa, 

 with which, as regards color, they have hardly any relationship whatever. — It is in 

 fact drawing the line very fine, Avhen we separate generically the species of Heli- 

 anthea and those contained in Bourcieria, and I am not at all assured in my own 

 mind but that every useful purpose would be equally well served by restricting all 

 these species to the same genus. If color must be a generic character, they require 

 many genera; if structural characters are necessary, it is very difficult to find them. 



Genus XXXVII.— BOURCIERIA. 



Bourcieria, Bon.. Compt. Rend. (18,50), p. 380. 

 Cwligena, Bon. (nee Le.ss., 1832), Compt. Rend., p. 382 (18.50). 

 Ho mopha^iia, Reich., Aufz. der Colib. (1853), p. 10. 

 Conradinia, Reiph., Aufz. der Colib. (1853), p. 10. 

 Lampropygia, Reich., Aufz. der Colib. (1853). p. 10. 

 Polyoma, Heine, Jouru. fur Ornith. (1863), p. 215. 

 Eudoaia . Mols., Cat. Ois. Mouch. (1875), p. 20. 

 Fi Ionia, MuLS., Hist. Nat. Ois. Mouch. (1876), vol. iii, p. 4. 



Type. 



T. prunelli, Bourc. 



0. cceligena. Less. 



T. prunelli, Bourc. 



T. conradi, Bourc. 



T. wilsoni, Bourc. 



0. torquata, Boiss. 



D. traviesi, Muls. and Verr. 



T. prunelli, Bourc. 



