Mr. J. Gould on a new Species of Humming-bird. 129 



wide at the base, suddenly tapering at the apex. Pedicellarire 

 of one kind only, and very sparingly developed ; the larger 

 pincer-formed kind wholly absent. Greater to lesser radius 

 as 2-3 to 1. A large specimen measures 1^ inch in its 

 greatest diameter. 



We have found this species living gregariously between tide- 

 marks at the Out-Skerries, Shetland; and Mr. D. Robertson 

 has sent us specimens which he took under similar circumstances 

 at Oban. 



The species of Asterias, both British and foreign, allied to 

 A. rubens are extremely difficult. We are unable to make up 

 our minds whether we have only one very variable form or 

 many species. We have described the two species distinguished 

 by Forbes, A. violacea and A. hispida, but for the present feel 

 compelled to reserve giving a positive opinion with respect to 

 the value of their distinctive characters. Miiller and Troschel, 

 and also Sars, unite the former with A. rubens. We have other 

 closely allied forms in our seas, which scarcely fall under the 

 description of any species here described. 



XIV. — Description of Diphlogsena Hesperus, a new Species 

 of the Family Trochilidse. By John Gould, F.R.S. 



Male. Crown of the head brilliant, changeable, metallic blue 

 and fiery red, the latter colour occupying the sides of the fore- 

 head, and the former running up the centre from the base of 

 the bill to the crown, where it dilates into a broad patch ; hinder 

 part of the head and the nape changeable brown and bronze; 

 back (as far as the rump, shoulders, abdomen, and flanks) green; 

 throat and chest rich metallic golden green, with a small spot 

 of violet in the centre of the former ; primaries and secondaries 

 rust-brown, with darker tips ; upper and under tail-coverts and 

 the forked tail deep cinnamon-red, the feathers of the latter 

 tipped and edged near the extremities with bronzy green ; 

 thighs buff; bill straight, long, tubular, and black; feet brown. 

 Total length 5^ inches, bill 1^, wing 3,j, tail 2\. 



Habitat. The province of Cuenca, in Ecuador, where it pro- 

 cures its food from the flowers of the Oreocallis grandiflora, a 

 tall shrub figured in Humboldt and Bonpland's folio work, 

 vol. ii. p. 179, tab. 139. 



This new species of Humming-bird is very nearly allied to 

 Diphlogcena Iris, but differs in the more fiery colour of the face, the 

 greater intensity of the blue occupying the centre of the crown, 

 in the green of the body extending to the tail- coverts both on 

 the upper and under surface, in the tail-feathers being all tipped 

 with bronzy green, and in the tail itself being less deeply forked. 



Ann. % Mag. Nat. Hist. Ser. 3. Vol.xv. ' 9 



