168 GENERA AND SPECIES. 



Genus HELIANTHEA, G-ould, in Proc. Zool. 

 Soc. 1848. 



In this resplendent genus the beak is long, 

 straight, or slightly inclining upwards ; the nos- 

 trils are basal, and covered by the feathers 

 advancing from the root of the bill ; the wings 

 are moderately long and powerful ; the tail is of 

 medium size and slightly forked when closed ; 

 the feet are very small, and the very short tarsi 

 are clothed with feathers. In the birds of this 

 genus the throat and chest are gorgeous green, 

 with a chin-spot of scale-like feathers of intense 

 metallic-blue ; all are most resplendent, with a 

 general plumage of iridescent bronze, the flanks 

 being furnished with full large feathers. The 

 females are beautiful, but less so than the males. 



As far as is yet known, all are inhabitants of 

 the Cordillerian Andes. 



The types of this genus are the Trochilus he- 

 lianthea. Lesson (Helianthea typica, Grould, 

 1848), and Trochilus Bonapartii, Boure. 1842. 



"We shall here describe two new species from 

 Mr. Gould's collection. 



Helianthea Eos, Gould, Plate VI. In the male, 

 the crown of the head is black, with a shining 

 spot of metallic golden-green on the forehead. 

 The forepart of the neck and chest are of a lus- 

 trous golden-green, this golden-green predomi- 

 nating on the lower part of the chest. On the 

 centre of the throat a patch of deep rich blue. 

 Abdomen of a brilliant flame colour. Back, 





