TO THE MEMORY OF LINN6, 



The Father of Systematic Classification, and 

 Binominal Nomenclature. 



GENERA OF HUMMING BIRDS, 



By A. BoucAPD. 



CLASS AYES (BIEDS), 

 DIVISION PSILOPAEDES, SUND, 1872. 



Young at birth, helpless, and entirely naked. Life sustained 

 by the introduction of food into the throat by means of the 

 parents bill. Nest occupied until the birds are full grown. 



TROCHILT, Boucard, Cat., Av., 1876. 

 Order of Humming Birds. 



Picarian birds with the palate nearly oegitognathous, possess- 

 ing but one carotid artery, the sinistra, a nude oil gland and 

 no coeca. The femoro caudal and ambious muscles are alone 

 present, the flexor longus halucis, independent of the flexor 

 perforans digitorum, tensor patagii brevis, pterylosis and 

 sternum characteristic. Second, third, and fourth toes directed 

 forwards, the hallux backwards, body small, sometimes minute. 

 Bill varying from feeble to stout, generally longer than the 

 head, straight or curved with a short gap devoid of bristles. 

 Nostrils, basal, linear, covered by an operculum, sometimes 

 hidden in frontal feathers. Tongue slender, filiform, capable 

 of great extension, consisting of two minute parallel tubes. 

 Wings narrow, pointed, the prmiaries, ten in number, stiff and 

 long, the secondaries very short. The manus isveiy long, and 

 the humerus very short, enabling the wing to be moved with 

 great rapidity. Sternum large with deep keel. Tail composed 

 of ten feathers varying greatly in shape and size. Tarsi short, 

 either naked or clothed. Feet extremely small, toes short, 

 claws curved and rather large. Plumage generally of the most 

 brilliant metallic hues, equal to the brilliancy of precious stones, 

 sometimes sombre. Females with very fesv exceptions, plain ' 

 coloured. 



