132 



SYNOPSIS OF THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



Lophomw omatus. <? . Trinidad. 'Wlutel^, 



Ch. Head usually crested. Feathers of the sides of F'g- "'8- 



the throat more or less lengthened into ruffs, and pro- 

 jecting outwards. Tail rounded. Bill straight, short, 

 weak. Sexes unlike in plumage. 



Range. Central America, island of Trinidad, Guiana, 

 Venezuela, Brazil, Columbia, and Ecuador. 



This genus, as instituted by Lesson (1. c), was a com- 

 posite one. It contained as the first of its species, his 

 Ornismija nattereri (=7'. superhus, Vieill ), followed by 

 O. petasophora { = T. serrirostris, Vieill.), 0. delalandi, 

 0. criatata, 0. ornata, Linn., 0. stntmaria {^T. mag- 

 nificus, Vieill.), and 0. vieillotii (=?'. chali/beus, Vieill.). 

 Of these, the first is the type of Mr. Gould's genus 



AuGASTES, the second is the type of Petasophora, Gray, the third is the type of 

 Cephallepis (Cephalolepis), Lodd., and* the fourth is the type of Bellona, Muls., 

 leaving the two remaining species in Lesson's genus Lophornis, of which his Or- 

 nismija ornata {Trocliilus omatus, Bodd.) may be considered as the type. The 

 birds comprised in this genus seem best placed here, as from them through Gouldia 

 and DiscuRA we arrive naturally at Steganura, Loddegesia, and the long-tail species 

 commonly known as the blue-, and fire-tail Hummers.-^ — Although the tails of the 

 species of Lophornis and Gouldia are very different, yet there are points of resem- 

 blance between them in plumage, among whicli could be cited the conspicuous bar 

 that crosses the rump. The Coqiiettes, as they are called, are small birds possess- 

 ing a highly ornamented plumage, having elongated feathers springing from the 

 sides of the neck with metallic tips. Some species are also adorned with crests, and 

 all have metallic throats, with but two exceptions. Of course this is understood 

 to imply only as regards the males. The females are differently attired. 



Ten species are recognized as belonging to this genus; two very closely allied, 

 viz., L. delattrii and L. regtdus, and it may be well doubted if they really are dis- 

 tinct. 



Key lo the species. 

 A. Throat metallic-green. 



a. No metallic colors on upper parts of the head. 



a'. Crest spotted throughout its length, 

 b'. Crest unspotted. 



a". Crest tipped minutely with black. 



b". Crest conspicuously tipped with greenish-black. 



b. Front covered with metallic-green feathers. 



a'. Feathers of neck elongated, buff tipped with green, 

 b'. Feathers of neck elongated, white. 



a". Elongated feathers with round apical metallic-green spots. 



h". Elongated neck feathers with apical metallic-green ba7-s. 

 c'. Feathers of neck elongated, buff streaked with black, or all black. 



0. Front covered with metallic-red feathers ; crown white. 



1. L. stictolophus. 



2. L. delattrii. 



3. L. regiilus. 



4. L. omatus. 



5. L. gouldi. 

 0. L. magnificus. 

 *l. L. helenee. 



8. L. adorabilis. 



