INTRODUCTION. Ixv 



Genus Calypte, Gould, 



(KaXvTTT^, operta). 



Generic characters 



Male. — Bill longer than the head, straight, or slightly arched ; tail rather short, the three outer feathers stiff, 

 narrow, and slightly incurved ; tarsi clothed ; feet small ; hind smd/ore toes nearly equal in length ; entire head and 

 throat luminous. 



Female, — Destitute of luminous colouring. 



This is strictly a Mexican genus, all the members of which are beautifully coloured, the entire head and face of 

 the males appearing as if covered with a mask of burnished metal. 



153. Calypte CosT^ Vol. III. PL 134. 



Habitat. Mexico, Southern California, and Colorado Basin. 



154. Calypte Ann^ Vol. III. PL 135. 



Calliphlox lamprocephalus, Licht. Cat. of Birds in Mus. of Berlin, p. 57. 



Habitat. The table lands of Mexico and California. 



155. Calypte Helena VoL III. PL 136. 



Orthorhynchus Helena, Lambeye. 

 Boothi, Gundl. 



Habitat. Cuba. 



Genus Selasphorus, Swains, 



The species of this form are characterized by the great brilliancy of the gorgets of the males. The females are 

 destitute of these fine colours. The rounded or cuneate form of the tail in these birds at once separates them from 

 the members of the last-mentioned genus. 



156. Selasphorus RUFUs VoL III. PL 137. 



Selasphorus ruber, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 56. 



Habitat, Mexico. In summer it also occurs in California, and even as far north as Nootka Sound, and some- 

 times at Sitka. 



Refer to the account of this species for my remarks respecting its not being identical with the Trochilus ruber 

 of Linnseus ; and also to a very interesting paper in the ' Natural History of Washington-territory,' by Drs. Cooper 

 and Suckley. 



157. Selasphorus Scintilla, Gould ........... VoL III. PL 138. 



Habitat. The inner sides of the volcanic mountain Chiriqui in Costa Rica. 



158. Selasphorus Floresii .v VoL III. PL 139. 



Habitat. Bolanos in Central Mexico. 



159. Selasphorus platycercus VoL III. PL 140. 



Trochilus montanus, Swains. Birds of Brazil, pL 74. 



Habitat. Guatemala, Mexico, and, according to Dr. Baird, "through Rocky Mountains to Fort Bridger, Utah." 

 I have observed that specimens from Guatemala are much smaller than those from the table lands of Mexico. 

 M. Boucard found this bird at Oaxaca in Southern Mexico, and Mr. Salvin at Duenas in Guatemala. 



Genus Atthis, Reichenb, 



The type of this genus is A, Helo'ism ; and I retain the term for this very singular and beautiful bird, which in 

 the character of its plumage and the colouring of its tail differs from every other with which I am acquainted. The 

 plumage is extremely soft, and easily disarranged. 



160. Atthis Helois^. 



Selasphorus Helois^ VoL III. PL 141. 



Habitat. Central America and Southern Mexico. 



Numerously subdivided as the members of this family already are, I cannot pass over the beautiful Calliope 

 without perceiving the necessity for a separate distinctive appellation ; I therefore propose that of Stellula. 



