INTRODUCTION. Ixxiii 



to select terms sufficiently expressive to convey an idea of the loveliness of the birds comprised in this latter genus. 

 The two birds generally known under the names of Sappho and Phaon are par excellence the most gorgeous birds in 

 existence so far as regards the colouring of their tails ; and well do these living meteors deserve the more general 

 name of Comets. 



Genus Cometes, Gould. 



(Kofxr)TT]9, cometa.) 



Generic characters. 



Male,— Bill longer than the head, straight or sHghtly arched ; wings moderate ; tail long and deeply forked, 

 the feathers broad and luminous ; tarsi naked ; feet small ; hind toe and 7iail nearly as long as the middle toe and 

 nail; throat lummons. 



Female. — Smaller in size, and nearly destitute of fine colouring. 



195. Cometes sparganurus Vol. III. PI. 174. 



Cynanthtis sparganurus, Jard. Nat. Lib. Humming-Birds, vol. ii. p. 146. 



Trochilus (^Cynanthus^ chrysurus, Tsch. Consp. p. 36, sp. 200 ; Id. Faun. Per. p. 244. 



Orthorhynchus chrysurus, D'Orb. et Lafres. Syn. p. 26. 



Sappho sparganura, Reich. Aufz. der Col. p. 9 ; Id. Troch. Enum. p. 5, pi. 724. figs. 4651-52. 



Leshia sparganura, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252. 



Sparganura Sappho, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein, Theil iii. p. 52. 



Habitat. Bolivia. 



196. Cometes Phaon, Gould Vol. Ill, PI. 175. 



Sappho Phaon, Reich. Aufz. der Col. p. 9 ; Id. Troch. Enum. p. 5, pi. 725. figs. 4653-54. 

 Lesbia phaon, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252. 

 Sparganurus Phaon, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 52, note 



Habitat. Peru. 



197. Cometes? Glyceria Vol. III. PI. 176. 



Sparganura Mossai, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 52, note. 



Habitat, Popayan in New^ Granada. 



This is perhaps the most extraordinary bird I have had the good fortune to describe. I have placed it in the 

 genus Cometes with a reservation ; for it comprises characters which are found both in Lesbia and Cometes : in form 

 it most nearly approaches the latter, while in its markings and in the colouring of its throat it resembles the former. 

 At present only a single example has been obtained, and this, I am inclined to think, is not quite adult ; it may 

 possibly be only a young male of a splendidly coloured but unknown species ; and if so, a fine bird remains in store 

 to reward the researches of some future explorer. 



198. Cometes? Caroli Vol. III. PL 177. 



Habitat, Peru. 



Of this remarkable bird about four specimens have been in our collections for many years ; but whether they 

 are males or females is unknown ; for in fact nothing has been recorded respecting these puzzUng birds. If the 

 description accompanying my plate of the species be referred to, it will be seen that it has been bandied about from 

 one genus to another, different authors having assigned it to Trochilus, Hylocharis, Calliphlox, and Avocettinus ! 

 Some day, when the little-known country of Peru has been more fully investigated, we shall doubtless acquire a 

 better knowledge of it, and be able to decide to which genus it really pertains ; for the present let it remain in the 

 one in which I have placed it. 



Genus Pterophanes, Gould, 



(Ylrepov, ala, et ^atpco, ostendo.) 



Generic characters. 



Male.— Bill cylindrical, longer than the head, and slightly upcurved; wings very large and sickle-shaped; tail 

 broad and large ; tarsi clothed ; feet small ; hind toe shorter than the middle one ; claws long, slightly curved, and 

 sharp at the point. 



Female, — Unadorned. 



u 



