SAPPHO. 



153 



The next genus, which naturally succeeds Cynanthus, is composed of probably 

 the most wonderfully plumaged birds, certainly so as regards the brilliancy of their 

 hues, that are to be found among the known species of the Trochilidie. The tails 

 of the males blaze with the radiance of flashes of flame, while their ruby backs, 

 luminous green throats, and under surface present altogether a tout ensemble that 

 is perfectly unique, and unapproached by anything yet known in the whole range 

 of Ornithology. They are of rather large size, and the sexes are very unlike, 

 although if the male was unknown, the female would probably be considered very 

 beautiful. Three species are retained in the genus, but it is doubtful if one of 

 them, the S. caroJi, has really its proper place with the others ; but at present we 

 know so little about it, and the specimens that have been obtained are so few, that 

 it will be necessary to wait for farther information to enable the doubt to be satis- 

 factorily removed. 



Genus LXXVIIL— SAPPHO. 



Cynanthus , TscnuD., Coiisp., p. 3G (L844) (iiec Swaixs., 1837). 

 Cometes, Gould, P. Z. S. (1847), p. 31 (ncc Hodg., 1841). 

 Sappho, Reich., Syst. Av. Natur., pi. 40 (1849). 

 Lesbia, Bon. (ncc Less., 1832), Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1854), p. 252. 

 Sparganura, Cab. anil Heix., Mns. Ilein. (1860) 'I'll., iii, p. 52. 

 Polyonymus. Heine. Journ. fiir Ornith. (1863), p. 2l)G. 

 Leobia, Mui.s., Hist. Nat. Ois. Moucli., torn, iii, p. 2'J7 (1876). 



Tvpe. 

 T. spartjanui-us, Shaw. 

 T. sparganuru.i, Shaw. 

 T. spiarrianiirus, Shaw. 

 T. sparrjanurii.'i, Shaw. 

 T. .yjacr/«n «/•«,% Shaw. 

 T. caroti, Bourc. 

 T. carott, Bourc. 



Fig. 80. 



Sappfio np/irrjaniira. <? . Peru. Miia. G.N.Lawrence. 



Ch. Bill arched, longer than the head. Tail long and deeply forked, 

 naked, hind toe and nail nearly as long as middle toe. Sexes difterent. 

 Range. Columbia, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentine Republic. 

 I place three species in this genus as follows: — 



T'arsi 



Keij to the species. 



A. Throat metallic-green, tail liiminons. 



a. Rectrices fiery orango-rcd, tips black. 



b. Rectrices dark luminous crimson. 



B. Throat scarlet; central rectrices brouzc-grcen, lateral ones black. 



20 November, 1873. 



1. S. sjiarrjanura. 



2. S. phaon. 



3. S- caroii. 



