INTRODUCTION. Ixxxi 



235. Klais Guimeti , Vol. IV. PL 210. 



Basilinna Gtdmeti, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 12 ; Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 45. 



Myiahellia guimeti^ Sclat. in Proc. Zool. Soc, part xxv. p. 17. 



Mellisuga Merrittii, Lawr. Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist, in New York, vol. vii. April 9, 1860. 



Habitat. Venezuela and the Andes of New Granada. 



'' In the district of El Mineral" in New Granada, says Dr. Merritt, *' there has been a slight attempt at culti- 

 vation of the soil and planting- of fruit-trees. The Orange, the Guama, and Guayava trees are the most numerous, 

 particularly the last-named, which is very prolific, bearing nearly throughout the year fruit in all its stages from the 

 blossom to maturity. Consequently the Guayava tree is the favourite resort of the Humming-Bird. I often 

 watched these little creatures feeding and quarrelling around a tree near the door of my palm-leaf hut ; and soon 

 my attention was attracted to one much smaller than the rest, whose pugnacity and indomitable ^ pluck ' greatly 

 amused me. Upon closer examination of this diminutive feathered warrior my interest increased, as I soon became 

 convinced that it was new to me. I frequently afterwards saw numerous specimens of it, and almost invariably 

 encountered them feeding from the blossoms of the Guayava, and I therefore conclude they are quite local in their 

 habitat." 



Genus Myiabeillia, Bonap, 



This is a very distinct generic form. Like that of Klais, it contains but a single species, a dehcately-formed 

 bird inhabiting Mexico and Guatemala. The male is decorated with a brilliant green gorget, a feature which is 

 entirely absent in the female. 



236. Myiabeillia typica . Vol. IV. PI. 211. 



Baucis Abeillei, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 13. 



Aheillia typica, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. torn. i. p. 79, Ramphomicron, sp. 4. 



Basilinna Abeillii^ Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 11. 



Baucis Abeillei, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 72. 



Habitat. Mexico and Guatemala. 



" Volcan de Fuego and Coban. The barrancos of the volcano are the only localities I am aware of, near 

 Dueilas, where this species is found. Here, however, it is a common bird. It is usually to be seen feeding about 

 upon the brushwood, seeking the flowers, &c. It is a restless species, but shows little symptoms of fear. My 

 skins from the volcano are one female and three males. The proportions at Coban are very different. Here it is 

 common, being found in all the mountain-hollows feeding among the Salvice, ITie ratio of the sexes is as twenty 

 males to one female.'' — Salvin in Jbis, vol. ii. p. 262. 



I must now direct the notice of my readers to some of the most chaste and elegant species yet discovered of 

 this or any other family of birds — namely, the members of the genera Heliactin, Heliothrix, Schistes, and Petasophora. 



Genus Heliactin, Bote. 



The single species of this genus stands alone for the resplendent and richly coloured tufts of feathers which 

 spring from above and behind the eye. 



237. Heliactin cornuta Vol. IV. PI. 212. 



Heliactinus cornuttis, Burm. Th. Bras. tom. ii. p. 356. 



Trochilus bilobus, Licht. in Mus. of Berlin. 

 Heliactin cormita, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 64. 

 Habitat. Brazil, particularly the district of Minas Geraes. 



The female of this species, like that sex in the genus Heliothriw, has a longer and more ample tail than her 

 mate, — in which respect the form oflPers an affinity to the members of the succeeding genus. 



Genus Heliothrix, Bote, 



This, like the last, is a very well-marked form, of which two species are natives of Central America and New 

 Granada, one of the regions of the upper Rio Negro, and two of the rich country of Brazil. They are all 

 distinguished by being decorated with beautiful blue tufts on the sides of the neck, relieved by glittering green 

 cheeks and snowy breasts. In addition to this fine display of colours, two of them have rich blue crowns ; there is 



