EUGENES FULGENS. 



The Rivoli. 



Trochilus fiilgens^ Swains, in Phil. Mag. 1827, p. 441. 

 Ornismya Rivolii, Less. Hist. Nat. des Ois. Mou., p. 48. pi. 4. 

 Trochilus Rivolii, Jard. Nat. Lib. Humming Birds, vol. ii. p. 96. pi. 18. 

 Mellisuga fulgens^ Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga^ sp. 2. 

 Delattria fulgenSy Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 70, Delattria^ sp. 4. 

 Cceligena fulgens^ Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252, 



Coeligena fulgens, Reichenb. Aufz. der CoHbris, p. 7. — lb. Troch. enumer., p. 3. pi. dclxxxvi 

 figs. 4513, 4514. 



This well-known Mexican species, so celebrated for the beauty of its colouring, and the bold style of its 

 markings, enjoys a very wide range of habitat, extending from the latitude of Jalapa in Mexico to the city 

 of Guatemala ; but only frequents high table-lands, such as those of Jalapa and Temiscaltepec. This fine 

 bird was described by Swainson under the specific appellation oi fulgens some years prior to that of Rivoli 

 assigned to it by M. Lesson, in honour of M. Massena, Prince of Essling and Duke of Rivoli. 



It is to be regretted that nothing has yet been recorded respecting its habits and economy, or tbe 

 particular plants among which it seeks its food. 



In its general contour and in some of its markings it bears a close resemblance to the members of the 

 genus OreotrocAilus, but the straighter and more lengthened form of its bill prevents me from placing it in 

 that group. 



The sexes, as is usual with many other groups of Humming Birds, oflfer a very decided difference in their 

 colouring, the female being entirely destitute of the lovely hues which adorn the head and throat of the 

 male. 



Fine examples of this species, collected by M. Rivera Paz, have been forwarded to me by Mr. Skinner. 



The male has the forehead and crown of a rich violet-blue ; chin, throat, and sides of the neck, luminous 

 grass-green ; all the upper surface, wing-coverts, breast, and abdomen bronzy green ; the back of the neck 

 and breast appearing black when viewed in front ; wings purplish brown ; two central tail-feathers bronzy 

 green, the remainder brownish bronze, with a wash of bronzy green at the base and at the tip; under tail- 

 coverts olive-grey, fringed with greyish white. 



In the young male the forehead is grey, with a few brilliant bluish-green feathers appearing on the crown ; 

 upper surface and wing-coverts as in the adult ; wings purplish brown ; tail darker, and the lateral feathers 

 crossed with a broad mark of dark brown and tipped with grey ; under surface greyish brown, with a few of 

 the bright grass-green feathers on the throat. 



In the female the crown of the head is brown ; upper surface, wings, and tail as in the young male, but 

 the lateral tail-feathers more largely tipped with greyish white; all the under surface greyish brown, washed 

 with green on the flanks, and with the centre of the throat-feathers tinged with reddish ; before the eye, 

 but below the lores, a small patch of white, and behind the eye another white mark curving down posterior 

 to the ear-coverts. 



The figures and plant are of the natural size ; the latter is the Anguloa unijlora. 



