TKOCIIILID.E — THE lirMMlNO-BIKI): 



ir,7 



HeliopsDdica xantusi, Lawkknce 



XANTITS'S HUMMINO-BIBD. 



Arrmzilia xantusi, Lawiu:n« k, Ann. N. Y. Lye. VII, A|>ril, l^Co, 100. JlrliojKcdun 

 xantusi, Gould, Mon. Troth. II, \>]. Ixv. — In. Intiod. Trodi. Gl. — Ei.i.n.r, 111. 

 Birds N. Am. xi, plate. — C'uuI'ER, Orn. C'al. I, 1870, 305. Ilcliop'irficn cffs/fnicoonuh, 

 L.vwREXCE, Ann. X. Y. Lye. 1860, 145 (tenialc). — Elliot, Illu.st. I'.iiiK X. Am. 

 1, xxii. 



Sp. Char. Male. Above inotallic green ; the forehead, clu-eks. and eh in velvety bhu k 

 (the former with a deep blue «rloss). A (hstin(;t white t^tripe from bill, throuirh and 

 behind the eye. Throat and forepart of brea.<t brilliant 

 metallic green; rest of under parts cinnanion-rufon.<; 

 all the tail-feathers pur])lish-rufons, — the central 

 glos.<?ed with green rbove, near the etlges, the others 

 obscurely edged with blackish along ends. JJill red 

 at base, black at end. Length, 3.r.0 ; wing, 2.10 ; tail, 

 1.40 ; exposed portion of bill above. .05. Female. 

 Forehead and all under parts light cinnamon beneath, 

 without any green, or any dusky specks on throat ; 

 white cheek-stripe appreciable, but tinged with rufous. 

 Tail as in male, but the central feathers entirely green 

 above, the other, except the outer, with a dusky greenish or puri»lish sjiot on each web 

 near the end. Whole upper mandible apparently <lusky ; base of lower, red. 



Hab. Cape St. Lucas. 



Thi.s well-marked and interesting species we owe to Mr. Xantiis, to<>ether 

 with many other birds of tlie west coast. It is siitticieutly di.stinct to require 

 no comparison otlier than that given under the general head ; it ciin lu» sep- 

 arated from H. mdanotU in all stages of plumage hy tlie rufous tail. 



Specimens vary sometimes in the intensity of tlie rufous shade, and, as 

 stated, it is probable that the forehead, instead of being black, in full j>lu- 

 mage is deep blue, as in melanotic. 



Habits. Tliis is a new and well-marked species, and although l)elonging 

 to the North American fauna cannot be claimed for the United States, hav- 

 ing thus far been only taken at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, and describ«^d 

 by Mr. Lawrence in 1860. Notliing is known as to its specific habits. 



HdioprrfUrn rantusi. 



