TOI'AZ A. 



95 



Key to the species. 



A. Throat metallic-green, body metallic-red. 



a. Tail. Lateral feathers deep butf. - 1 T. pclla. 



b. Tail. Lateral feathers deep purple. 2. T. pyra. 



Between this genus and the last there is also a gap, which we are not yet able 

 to fill. The two species of the present one are among the most brilliantly plumaged 

 of the Family, and are also remarkable for their peculiarly formed tails. The sexes 

 are very unlike, but the female also exhibits metallic hues in her dress. 



1. Topaza pella. 



Trochilus pella, Lixn., Sj-st. Nat., vol. i, p. 189 (1766), et Aact. 



Trochilus paradiscus, Li.nn., Syst. Nat., vol. i, p. 189 (1766). 



Lampornis pella, Jard., Nat. Lib. Humraing--birds, vol. ii, p. l.'iS. 



Topaza pella, Gray, List Gen. Birds, p. 13 (1840). — Id., Gen. Birds, vol. i, p. 109. — Gotn.D, Mon. Troch., vol. 

 ii, pi. 66. — Id., Intr. 'I'roch., octavo ed., p. 61. — Reich.. Anfz. der Colib., p. 11. — Id., Troch. Enum. p. 9, 

 t. 797, figs. 48.53-.5.i.— Bo.v., Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1854), p. 230.— Id., Consp. Gen. Av., p. 73 (1850).— 

 Cab. andHEi.v., Mns. Hein. Th., iii, p. 16 (1860). 



ffab. Cayenne, Trinidad, Brazil, river Amazon. 



Male. Head, lores, and a line encircling the throat black. Back shining dark 

 red changing to orange-red on the rump. Throat metallic greenish-yellow, with a 

 topaz hue in the centre. Rest of lower parts shining crimson. Upper tail coverts 

 light bronze-green. Under coverts golden-green. Median rectriccs dark bronze- 

 green ; next two on either side dark purple, those next the median greatly 

 elongated, and very narrow beyond the tips of the other feathers ; remaining 

 lateral rectrices reddish-buif. Bill black, feet white. Length, 5^ in. Wing, 31 in. 

 Tail, 2 in. Culmen, 1 in. Lateral rectrices stretch beyond the others 3 in., making 

 total length, S^ in. 



Female. Entirely green, with metallic-red throat. Median rectrices grass-green 

 tipped with black, two next dark purple, remainder, blackish at base tipped with 

 buff. Middle rectrices rather pointed. Tail rounded. Total length, 5 ^ in. Wing, 

 3 in. Tail 2 in. Bill on culmen, | in. 



2. Topaza pyra. 



Trochilus [Topaza) pyra, Gould, P. Z. S. (1846), p. 85.— Mfi,s., Hist. Nat. Ois. Monch., torn, ii, p. 128. 



Topaza pyra, Gray, (jen. Birds, vol. i, p. 110. — Gori.D, Mon. Troch., vol. ii, pi. 67. — Id., In(r. Trocli., octavo ed., 

 p. 62.— Reich., Aufz. der Colib., p. 11 (18.53).— Id., Troch. Enum.. p. 9, t. 798, figs. 4856-57 (1855).— 

 Cab. and Hei.n., Mus. Hein. Th., iii, p. 16 (note) (I860).— Bo.n., Cousp. Gen. Av., vol. i, p. 73 (1850). — 

 Id., Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1854), p. 250. 



Hah. Rio Negro. 



Male. Differs from T. i^elJa by having the entire head, cheeks, and a broad band 

 across upper part of throat velvety-black. Throat pale luminous green, bright 

 orange-yellow in the centre. Median rectrices shining green ; remainder deep 

 purple. In size the two species are about the same. 



In different specimens the colors of the body vary, some being shiniug crimson- 



