X INTRODUCTION. 



as a reason for not quoting all the names given by the older authors. Wherever they could be with 

 certainty determined, they have been quoted utider the species to which they are believed to refer. The 

 numerous divisions which more modern writers have deemed it necessary to propose will be given m 

 the proper place. 



Latham, who added little or nothing to the previously recorded notices of this group of birds, enumerated 

 sixty-five species in his 'Index Ornithologicus,' published in 1790, and ninety-five in the third volume of 

 his 'General History of Birds,' which appeared in 1822. Of these about two-thirds are real species; the 

 remainder cannot be determined, as they are so indefinitely described that it is impossible to ascertain 

 whether they are species or not. 



In 1802 the ' Oiseaux dores,' the great French work of Audebert and Vieillot, was given to the world. 

 In it, besides figures of all the Jacamars and Promerops then known, were included seventy plates of 

 Humming-Birds. These plates represent species which were then rare, but are now extremely common, 

 and which, although not so numerous as those contained in the later work of Latham, had the advantage 

 of being illustrated in a manner which was intended to convey some idea of their brilliancy. In most 

 instances the species may be recognized; in others they are doubtful. Independently of the illustrations 

 above-mentioned, these authors attempted to explain the laws which produce the splendid colouring of 

 certain parts of these beautiful birds, and have given a plate illustrative of their views on the subject. 



In 1823 appeared the second part of the ornithological portion of the 'Tableau Encydopedique et 

 Methodique des Trois Regites de la Nature,' byBonnaterre and Vieillot, with an enumeration of ninety-four 

 species of Humming-Birds, but no additional information as to their habits and manners. A few years later 

 (between 1829 and 1833) appeared M. Lesson's well-known works, the ' Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux- 

 mouches,' * Histoire Naturelle des Colibris,' and ' Les Trochilidees,' — publications which added considerably 

 to our previous knowledge of the group, although they enumerate no more than 110 species. How little 

 progress, then, had been made towards an intimate acquaintance with these lovely birds between the date 

 of the twelfth edition of the ' Systema Naturse ' and that of the last-named publications, a period of more 

 than seventy years ! 



If the illustrious Humboldt paid no very marked attention to the TrocMlidce^ he must have noticed many 

 of the fine species lately brought to light ; and it is therefore somewhat surprising that he should have 

 been so remarkably silent respecting them when writing the ' Personal Narrative ' of his travels in the new 

 world. It is to him and to his associate Bonpland, however, that I consider we are indebted for our 

 acquaintance with many of them ; for the perusal of the interesting account of their enterprising travels has 

 doubtless created a desire in others to follow in their footsteps. Thus succeeding travellers, who have not 

 been slow to perceive how wonderfully different are the productions of the great Andean ranges from those 

 of the other parts of South America, have ever been active in forming and transmitting to Europe collections 

 in nearly every department of science ; and no objects have been more assiduously sought for than the flying- 

 gems which constantly greeted them at every turn and must have been always before their eyes. Among the 

 most eminent travellers who have succeeded Humboldt are D'Orbigny, Schomburgk, Tschudi, Castlenau, 

 Burmelster, and others, who, with more recent but less-known explorers, have added so largely to our 

 knowledge of the TrochiUdw, Both Frenchmen and Belgians have proceeded to South America to procure 



DSI 



