GLAUCIS FRASERI, GoM. 



Frasei's Hermit. 



Glaucis Rucheri, Sclat. in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part xxviii. p. 296. 



**Mr. Fraser collected at Babahoyo, In Ecuador, specimens of a bird which both Dr. Sclater and myself 

 considered to be identical with the Glaucis Ruckeri.hxxt vv]\\c\\, on a more minute comparison with specimens 

 from Veragua, I find to be sufficiently different to entitle it to be regarded as distinct ; I have therefore 

 named it after its discoverer, as a just tribute to one who has played a good part in the furtherance of 

 science. The G. Fraseri diflTers from G. Riickeri in being rather larger in size, in having a smaller amount 

 of rusty red on the chest, and in having a decidedly grey breast ; in other respects the two birds are 

 similar." 



The foregoing paragraph appears in the Introduction, and I really have nothing to add to it respecting 

 the history of this bird. In favour of its being distinct, I may remark that it is quite an exceptional case 

 for a species to range over so many degrees of latitude as those between the country frequented by the G, 

 Ruckeri and that of which the present bird is a native. Whether the G. Rnckert and G, Fraseri will prove to 

 be local varieties of one and the same species, time and a more intimate knowledge of the TrochiM<s inhabiting 

 the w^estern coast of America can alone determine; for the present they should, in my opinion, be regarded 

 as two different species. Whether any variation occurs in the outward appearance of the sexes is entirely 

 unknown ; in all probability they will be precisely similar in the colouring of their plumage. 



Mr. Fraser states that this species was " found on the edge of the virgin forest ; always solitary ; generally 

 in dark and lonely places, and very restless." 



All the upper surface and wing-coverts green, inclining to bronzy brown on the head ; wings deep 

 purplish brown ; two centre tail-feathers green, deepening into black and tipped with white; the remainder 

 white at the base and at the tip, the intermediate space being occupied by a broad zone of black ; an obscure 

 line of bulfy white descends from the base of the bill ; on each side behind the eye a greyish-white spot ; 

 throat blackish brown, succeeded by a spot of dull rusty red ; breast and flanks deep olive-green mingled 

 with grey; abdomen grey; under tail-coverts lustrous olive-green, some of them margined with buff; 

 upper mandible black ; lower mandible yellow, with a dark tip ; legs and feet flesh-colour ; irides hazel. 



The figures are of the size of life. The plant is the Cattleya rnacvima. 



