186 GEITEEA AND SPECIES. 



note we have a condensed history ; and it is to 

 be desired that such notes should accompany 

 every species transmitted by collectors to Europe. 



Genus BAMPHOMICBON, Bonaparte, (Melli- 

 suffa, in part, Gray). 



Eight or nine species of the group (the whole 

 known) are in Mr. Gould's cabinet ; but some 

 are abnormal, and will most probably be placed 

 hereafter under another generic head. 



In this genus the beak is very small, fine, and 

 short ; the tail is forked ; the wings are small, 

 and the gorget is effulgent. 



The type of this genus is the Trochilus (Or- 

 nismyd) microrhynchus y Boiss. (Tr. brachyrhyn- 

 chus, Eraser, 1840). 



Beak shorter than the head; tail short and 

 black, with a slight copper and bronzy lustre ; 

 the two outer tail-feathers on each side some- 

 what exceed the rest in length, and are white at 

 the tip; the upper parts generally are of a 

 golden-green ; the under parts white, occasion- 

 ally washed with yellowish, and adorned with 

 green and gold spots ; primaries of the wings 

 dusky purple. 



Total length, 3^j inches; beak, f ; tail, T V 

 The latter acutely pointed, and a little dilated 

 in the middle. 



Another typical species is the Trochilus (Or- 

 nismya) heteropogon, Boiss. (Trochilus corruscus 

 Eraser, 1840, PL X.) 



