ivi INTRODUCTION. 



Since writing my account of Lafresmya Gayi I have received many additional examples, all of which had white 

 tails tipped with purphsh black; but I possess fully adult examples of a white-tailed bird named Saulce, by 

 M. Bourcier, in which the tippings are bronzy green. My specimens were brought by Delattre; but from what 

 locality, is unknown. The difference mentioned seems to warrant the belief that the bird is distinct ; and I there- 

 fore give it a place in this synopsis, notwithstanding the opinion to the contrary expressed in my account of L. Gayi. 



Those who have not closely studied the Humming-Birds have but little idea how diversified are their forms ; 

 the birds next to be considered are unlike all the other members of the family. The species are short, thick-set 

 birds, with a very pecuhar style of plumage, have their crowns plated with metal-like feathers, and bills as straight 

 and sharp as needles ; and woe to any bird, I should say, which gave offence to the members of this genus. 



I am exceedingly puzzled with respect to the species of this form ; that is, I am at a loss to determine whether 

 they are two, three, four, or five in number. First, with regard to D. JohamKs, whose under-surface is black, and 

 frontal mark violet-blue ; I have always regarded this colouring as indicative of the adult, but I am in doubt 

 whether the skins which frequently accompany them from Bogota, and which assimilate in size and form, but differ 

 in having a green frontlet and a dull-green upper and under surface, are the females or young males of this bird, 

 or if they be distinct. Of the Z>. Ludovicice, which comes from Bogota, I have many examples, all of which are 

 very uniform in size and style of colouring. From Quito I have another bird assimilating to the D, Ludovicice most 

 closely in colouring, but which is about a fifth larger in all its admeasurements. Accompanying the specimens 

 from this latter locality is one without any frontal mark whatever ; in other respects it is precisely like the rest, 

 and, I am sure, is a fully adult bird. Is this the female of the Quitan birds, or a distinct species ? I have never 

 seen examples in this state of plumage among the numerous specimens sent from Bogota. I think I shall be right 

 in regarding the Ecuadorian bird as distinct, and I therefore propose for it the name of rectirostris. 



Genus Doryfera, Gould. 



(Aopv, hasta, et (j^epco, fero ; Lance-bill.) 

 Generic characters. 



Male.— Bill long, basal half straight, apical half inclined upwards and pointed ; wings of moderate size ; tail 

 rounded, the feathers broad and rigid ; tarsi partly clothed ; hind toe and nail as long as the middle toe and nail ; 

 forehead luminous ; plumage adpressed. 



Female. — I believe the female is destitute of the forehead-mark ; but this is uncertain. 



99. Doryfera Johanna Vol. II. PL 87. 



Hemistephania Joharmae, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 9. 



Helianthea Johannae, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 6, pi. 731. figs. 4675-76. 



Doryphora Johannae, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 78, note. 



Habitat. New Granada. 



100. Doryfera Ludovici^ Vol. II. PI. 88. 



Hemistephania Ludoviciae, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 9. 



Helianthea Ludoviciae, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 6, pi. 731. figs. 4673-74. 

 Doryphora Ludoviciae, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 77. 

 Habitat. New Granada. 



101. Doryfera rectirostris, Gould. 



Bill and feet black ; tarsi clothed with brown feathers ; forehead brilliant glittering green ; crown and back of 

 the neck reddish bronze, passing into dull green on the back ; upper tail-coverts washed with blue ; tail black, 

 tipped with greyish-brown, largely on the external feathers, slightly on the middle ones ; under-surface olive ; under 

 tail-coverts grey ; wings purplish brown. 



Total length 5 inches ; bill \\^\ wing 2i; tail \\. 



Habitat. Ecuador. 



How remarkable it is that development and even beauty should be bestow^ed upon the under tail-coverts of a 

 bird ! yet this is often found to be the case : the Marabou Stork may be cited as an instance in point among the 

 larger birds, and the genera Eriocnemis, Erythronota, S<;c, among the Trochilidse. In no group, however, is this 



