96 



SYNOPSIS OF THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



red like pella, while others are a brilliant orange-red. I do not consider that this 

 difference has any specific value. 



Femjxle similar to that of T. pella, but has the lateral rectrices dark violet, the 

 inner webs of the external feather rufous, and the median pair are greenish-bronze 

 at the base, passing into a violet-black at the tip. 



Genus XLVII.— AITHUKUS. 



Phwthornts, Less, (nee Swains., 1827), Tab. Esp. Ois. Moiich., p. xviii (1829). 

 Folythmus. Less, (nee Briss., 17C0), Ind. Gen. Synop. Genr. Trocli., p. xvi (1832). 

 Trochilus, Gray (nee Lixn., 1748), List of Gen. Birds, p. 1-4 (1840). 

 Polytmus, Keich. (nee Briss., 1760). Syst. Av. Nat, pi. 39 (1849). 

 Aithurus, Cab. and Hei.v., Mus. Heiu. 'l"h., iii, p. 50 (1860). 



Type. 

 0. ccp!udatra, Less. 

 O. cephalatra. Less. 

 0. cephalatra. Less. 

 O. cephalatra, Less. 

 0. cephalatra, Less. 



AiOiurus pulylmus. S. Jamaica. Dresser. 



CJi. Bill curved, wide at base, longer than head. Lateral rectrices next the 

 outermost one on either side, lengthened nearly three times that of the other 

 feathers. Tail deeply forked. Head crested. Sexes unlike. 



Ranr/e. Island of Jamaica. 



The species of tliis genus, by its singularly shaped tail, is apparently allied to 

 those of the genus Topaza, and naturally finds its place here. It is a bird of 

 moderate size, though from the length of tlic rectrices it appears larger than it 

 really is. 



1. Aithurus pol3rtmus. 



Trochihis polytmus, Linn., Syst. Nat. (17C6), vol. i, p. 189. — Gmel., Syst. Nat. (1788), vol. i, p. 486. — Lath., 



Ind. Orn., vol. i, p. 302. — Gosse, B. Jamaica, p. 97. — Goui.d, Men. Troch., vol. ii. pi. 98. 

 BlaiTc-capped Humming-bird, Lath., Gen. Syn., vol. ii, p. 748 (1790). — Shaw., Gen. Zool., vol. viii, p. 281. 

 Ornismya cephalatra. Less., Ois. Moucli., p. 78, pi. 17 (1829). 



Trochihis maria. Hii.l, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (1849), vol. iii, p. 258.— GossE, 111. B. of Jam., pi. 22. 

 Polytmus cephalatra, Bon., Consp. Gen. Av., p. 72 (1850). 

 Polytmus cephalater, Bon., Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1854), p. 254. 

 Aithurus polytmus, Cab. and Hein., Mus. Uein. Th., iii, p. 50 (18C0). — Goui.d, Intr. Troch , octavo ed., p. 75. 



Hah. Island of Jamaica. 



Male. Crown of head and nape velvety-black. Upper surface dark green. 

 Wings purplish-brown. Entire under parts lustrous emerald-green. Under tail 



