HELIODOXA OTERO. 



Otero Brilliant. 



Trochilus Otero, Tschudi, Consp. Av., No. 212. — lb. Faun. Peruana, p. 39, tab. xxiii. fig. 2. 

 Leadheatera oterOy Reichenb. Auf. der Col., p. 7. — Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 251 



How manifestly Is the law of representation exhibited in certain species of Humming-Birds inhabiting 

 similar latitudes north and south of the equator ! The Heliodooca Otero and H, Leadbeateri are two species 

 which will serve well to illustrate this theory — the one inhabiting Bolivia, on the south, the other Columbia, 

 on the north. I am not a little surprised that some ornithologists have considered these two birds as one 

 and the same species ; an Eagle and a Buzzard can scarcely offer greater differences in size than the Otero 

 and Leadbeateri: the former, moreover, differs in having the blue on the crown extended backwards 

 towards the occiput, and the green colouring of the breast finer, if possible, and more glittering ; in other 

 respects a great similarity exists in the two species. 



The discovery and characterization of this fine bird are due to Dr. von Tschudi, the celebrated traveller, 

 whose work entitled ' Fauna Peruana ' will form a lasting memorial of his ability and zeal in the cause of 

 science. The specimens in my own collection were principally procured by Mr. Bridges, during his short 

 residence near La Paz, but I have one example which I obtained in exchange from the Museum at Copen- 

 hagen. All these specimens closely resemble each other, and are of much larger size than the H, Lead- 

 beateri. The two species appear never to encroach upon each other's country. I have not yet seen either 



species from Ecuador. 



How must every lover of natural history, particularly the trochilidist, yearn to acquire some information 

 respecting the mode of life, flight, food, &c., of the various forms of Humming-Birds, in all which respects 

 they will doubtless be found to diflfer as much as these little ornithological gems do in their colouring and 

 structure ! 



The entire crown of the male is of a brilliant metallic blue ; the throat and breast luminous green ; occiput 

 and nape reddish bronze, appearing black when viewed in front ; back, upper and under wing-coverts, upper 

 tall-coverts, abdomen and flanks bronzy green ; wings purplish brown ; upper tail-coverts and two central 

 tail-feathers pure bronze, the remaining tail-feathers black, glossed with bronze ; behind the eye a small 

 patch of white ; bill black ; feet dark brown. 



The female has the upper surface bronzy green, marked with deeper bronze on the nape ; wings purpHsh 

 brown ; four centre tail-feathers bronze, the remainder bluish black, glossed with bronze on the outer webs 

 and tipped with greyish white ; under surface white, spangled with green ; vent pale buff". 



The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size. The plant is the Echites Franciscea. 



