Ixxiv INTRODUCTION. 



199. Pterophanes Temmincki ............ Vol. III. PI. 178. 



Pterophanes Temmincki, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 14; Id. Troch. Enum. p. 11 ; Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. 



Theil iii. p. 80. 



Habitat. New Granada and Ecuador. 



The Pterophanes Temmincki must rank with the Patagona gigas among the very largest of the Humming-Birds ; 

 the two species are nearly equal in size, but in their structure and the colouring of their plumage they are very 

 diiFerent. The native country of the P. Temmincki is the temperate portion of the Andes, over which it ranges for 

 a considerable distance from Bogota, the probable centre of its area. I have also seen specimens from Ecuador, 

 where it appears to be scarce. This fine bird is rendered a very striking species by the beautiful blue colouring of 

 its wings. 



Genus Agl/eactis, Gould, 



('AyAaia, splendor, et uKTh, radius Solaris.) 



Generic characters. 



Male, — Bill rather short, depressed at the base, and straight ; wings long and powerful ; primaries, particularly 

 the outer one, sickle-shaped ; tail moderately large, and slightly forked when closed ; tarsi partially clothed ; feet 

 strong and powerful ; hind toe and nail longer than the middle toe and nail ; breast ornamented with a tuft of 

 lengthened plumes ; back luminous when viewed from behind. 



The birds for which I instituted the above genus have always greatly interested me. They are of large size, 

 have very ample wings, and are distinguished from all other Humming-Birds by their luminous backs, of which the 

 rich and glittering hues are only perceptible when viewed from behind, or reversely to the direction of the feathers — 

 contrary to the law which regulates the disposition of the colouring in all the other genera, except in Coeligena, 

 where it is slightly apparent. All the species are natives of the Andes, over which they roam from the northern 

 part of New Granada to Bolivia. The latter country is the cradle of the Aglceactis Castelnaudi and the richly 

 coloured A. Pamela. These extraordinary birds, to which I have given the trivial name of Sunbeams, are among 

 the most wonderful of the Trochilidse. 



200. Agl^actis cupripennis Vol. III. PI, 179. 



Agla'iactis cupripennis, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 69. 

 Habitat, New Granada. 



Professor Jameson and Mr. Fraser state that " The females of this species have the glittering back, but not so 

 brilliant as in the males." — Ibis, vol. i. p. 400. 



201. AgL^CTIS iEqUATORIALIS. 



Agldiactis aequatorialis, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 70, note. 



Habitat. Ecuador. 



This bird is considered distinct from H. cupripennis by Dr. Cabanis ; but the only difference I can perceive 

 between this and Bogota specimens is in its larger size and longer wing ; but if this be admitted as a species, 

 I must further increase the list by calling zxio\h^v parvula, of which I have two specimens shot by M. Warszewicz 

 in Peru or Bolivia ; for the precise locality is unknown to me. 



202. Aglceactis parvula, Gould. 

 Habitat. Peru, or Bolivia. 



This bird has a much shorter bill, is of a deeper red on the under- surface, more red in the tail, and altoo-ether 

 of much smaller size. 



Total length 4-|- inches ; bill \^ ; wing 3 ; tail If. 



203. Agl^actis caumatonota, Gould. 



Aglmactis caumatonotus, Gould in Proc. Zool. Soc. part xvi. 1848, p. 12. 

 . Habitat. Peru, or Bolivia. 

 Described by me as above from a single specimen said to have been procured in Peru, which differs from the 

 preceding in being of smaller size and in the darker hue of the luminous portion of the back. 



204. AGL^ACTfs Castelnatjdi •--......,. Vol III PI 180 



Aglaeactis Castelnaudi, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 9. 



Helianthea Castelnaudi, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. (3, pi. 739. figs. 4694-95. 



