LAFRESNAYA GAYI. 



White-tailed Velvet-breast. 



Trochilus Gayi, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyon, torn. ix. 1846, p. 325. 



Scml(B, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 309. 



CalotJiorax Gayiy Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 110, CalotJioraoo^ sp. 2. 



Saulii, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 110, CalotJiorax, sp. 3. 



Lafresnaya gayi, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, hafresnaya, sp. 2. — Reich. Aufz. der Col., 

 p. 11. — Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252. 



SauliSy Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, Lafresnaya, sp. 3. 



Saul, Reich. Aufz. der Col., p. 11. 



The present is a somewhat larger species than t\\^ Lafresnaya flamcaudat a, and, if I mistake not, will be 

 considered even more beautiful in its colouring, its pure white tail-feathers offering a greater contrast to the 

 velvety-black of the abdomen, and the green colouring of the breast being still more resplendent. In my 

 account of L.famcaudata, I stated that that bird was a native of Columbia, while Ecuador and Peru lay claim 

 to the bird here represented — L, GayL It was in Quito that the greater number of the specimens in my 

 collection were procured; the remainder are from Peru, 



It will be observed that, like the L. flamcaudata, this species has been honoured with two specific a])pel- 

 lations — Gayi and Saulw, both of which were applied to it by M. Bourcier. I have, however, looked in 

 vain for any character in his descriptions by which the opinion that they apply to two distinct birds can be 

 substantiated. When describing Saul<jB, M. Bourcier stated that it was somewhat larger than the Gayi, but 

 I beheve he now admits that both terms have reference to the same bird; however, should a further 

 accession of examples induce a contrary conclusion, I shall be happy to rectify the error. 



The present species, which has been dedicated to Dr. Gay, so well known for his scientific explorations 

 in Chili, is much more rare than the L. fiamcaudata. Of its habits and actions, which I suspect are 

 rather pecuUar, nothing whatever is known. 



The term Saulce was given as a compliment to the daughter of Mr. Saul, the conchologist. 



The male has the head, all the upper surface, wing- and tail-coverts golden-green ; wings rich purple- 

 brown ; throat, chest and flanks shining deep grass-green; abdomen velvety-black; under tail-coverts 

 bronzy-green, with white bases ; two centre tail-feathers greenish-bronze ; lateral tail-feathers white, with 

 an arrowhead-shaped mark at the tip of each, broadest on the outer web, largest and most conspicuous on 

 the external feather, and gradually lessening towards the central ones. 



In the young male the tipping of the tail-feathers is much more extensive, and, except on the outer feather, 

 is bronzy instead of purplish-brown, and the under surface is white, with a spangle of glittering green at 



the tip of each feather. 



The female has the upper surface of a more bronzy hue, and the under surface white, spangled with bronze 



instead of green. 



The Plate represents the birds of the natural size. The plant is the Sciodacahjx Warszewkziu 



