8 Genera of Ilummifig Birds, 



rufous spots. In the centre several metallic red spots. Median 

 rectrices green, lateral ones rufous at base, then green, then 

 black, tipped white Bill black. 



This species was discovered by Captain Cook, 



I found it abundantly in California and in Mexico. 



I have united Selaphorus hefishawi and Selaphorus alleni 

 with this species, as I do not see the differences which 

 distinguish them. 1 have a fine series of this species from 

 Vancouver Island to South Mexico. 



Some from Vancouver and Arizona have the head and centre 

 of back metallic green, remainder buff. Some from San 

 Francisco, California, have the head and all the back metallic 

 green ; but I have also some with the head dull brown and the 

 back buff spotted all over with green feathers. Others from 

 Lower California, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico have the 

 head greenish brown and the back entirely buff. I think that 

 the greenish plumage of the back belongs to those which are in 

 nuptial plumage. It must be so ; as in California, and 

 especially in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, the place 

 where they nest, I have killed many specimens in nuptial 

 plumage. After the breeding season, they emigrate to Lower 

 California, Arizona and Mexico. The adults are then with 

 faded plumage and the young in immature plumage, and 

 both rufous on back. 



lo. Selaphorus scintilla, Gould, Mon. Troch., vol. iii., 



p. 138. 



. Little Flame-hearer, Gould, Mon. Troch., vol. iii., p. 138. 



Selasphore etincelant^ Muls. His. Nat. des Gis. M., t. iv., p. 105. 



Habitat. — Costa Rica and Veragua (Columbia). 



J/^//:'.— Upperside dark golden green. Throat metallic 

 coppery red, breast white, abdomen rufous, flanks golden green. 

 Tail rufous with a median line of purplish black on the central 

 feathers, external rufous on inner web, purplish black on the 

 outer. Maxilla black, mandibles flesh colour at base, rest black. 

 Lengih of wing, ijinch. Tail, i^. Culmen, f. 



Its very small size distinguishes that species from S. rufus, to 

 which it is very allied by its coloration. 



I have two male specimens from Chiriqui (Veragua) and four 

 specimens collected by myself at Cartago (Costa Rica). 



Female. — Head blackish brown. Back golden green. Throat 

 white spotted with buff. Breast and abdomen white. Flanks 

 and undertail coverts rufous. Median rectrices bronze green 

 margined with rufous, lateral rufous with a subterminal black 

 bar. Bill black. 



This species was discovered by M. Warszewich on the Volcano 

 of Chiriqui. . „, - 



