246 Genera of Humming Birds. 



The length of the tail varies slightly according to age. 



This species is very abundant in Colombia, but rare in 

 Venezuela. 



It was probably discovered by Mr. Stokes, who sent a 

 drawing of this bird to Lesson, by Mr. Underwood, to whom 

 he dedicated this beautiful and remarkable species. 



346. Spathura MELANANTHERA, Jard., Contr. Ornith., 185 1, 



p. III. 



Discura melananthera, Bon., Consp. Gen. Av., 1850, vol. i., 

 p. 70. 



Ecuadorian Racket-tail, Gould, Mon. Troch., vol. iii., p. 163. 



Oblong Racket-tail. 



La Steganure a raquette oblongue, Muls., Hist. Nat. Ois. 

 Mou., 1877, t. iii., p. 258. 



la Spathure a raquette oblongue. 



Habitat. — Ecuador. 



Male. — In colouration, this species is nearly identical with 

 the preceding one, but can be easily distinguished by not 

 having the chin jet black, as mentioned by Elliot, the two being 

 exactly similar in that respect, but by the size of the tail 

 which is much shorter, and also by the smaller size of the 

 spatula, which is also more rounded than in S. underwoodi. 



In my specimens which were collected in Ecuador, by 

 Buckley, the colour of the underside is more golden, but this 

 don't amount to much, as I have also one specimen from 

 Merida, Veuzuela of the same colour, although undoubtedly 

 being, vS*. Underwoodi- The colour of the upperside is also 

 slightly golden-green. 



Total length, 4fin. Wing, i|. Tail, 35. Culmen, \. 



Female. — Also like that of ^. underwoodi^ but with the 

 underside white, excepting the flanks, which are sparingly 

 spotted with green. 



Total length, 3in. Wing, if. Tail, \^-^. Culmen, \. 



It is much rarer than the preceding species. 



