PHAETHORNTS PRETREI. 



Pretre's Hermit. 



Trochilus Pretrei, De Latt. et Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 20. 



Fhrntornis Pretrei, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i, p. 104, Phcetornis, sp. 16. pi. xxxv. 

 Phaetornis pretrii, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 68, Phaetornis, sp. 15. — Bonap. Consp. Troch, 

 in Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 249. 



Notwithstanding the total absence of any metallic or lustrous colouring in this species, it is recommended 

 to our notice by the extreme elegance of its form and by the strongly-contrasted markings of its tail. Of 

 its history and appearance when flying in its native forests, nothing has yet I believe been recorded ; we 

 may, however, justly conclude that it is a most conspicuous object when on the wing, its sombre tints pre- 

 senting a marked contrast to the vivid green of the surrounding vegetation. The virgin forests of Brazil, 

 from the mouth of the Amazon to Bahia, are the situations whence we receive the greater part of our spe- 

 cimens ; but it is said that it inhabits districts still farther south, and even flies in Minas-Geraes. I have 

 never seen it in collections from the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, and I believe it never occurs in that 

 province. It may be ranked among the largest species of the Phaethorm, and also among the most con- 

 spicuously-marked species of the genus. 



I apprehend that the colouring of the under mandible is extremely evanescent, as in most of the speci- 

 mens received in this country, the red has given place to a lighter colour, and in some instances to yellow ; 

 I have, however, specimens of recently-killed uidividuals in which the blood-red colouring is perfectly pre- 

 served, and in this state I have figured it. It is possible that at the period just prior to the season of repro 

 duction this fiery hue may be much heightened, and that at other times a yellow tint may prevail. 



Among the numerous specimens in my collection I can trace no marked diflference in the sexes, except 

 that of size ; the female, as is the case I believe with all the other members of the genus, being somewhat 

 the smallest. 



All the upper surface rich bronze, becoming of a browner hue on the head ; wings purple-brown ; upper 

 tail-coverts rust-red ; two centre tail-feathers rich bronze, largely tipped with white, the basal portion of 

 which is clouded with black ; lateral tad-feathers bronze at the base, then crossed diagonally with black and 

 tipped with white, the white extending farther towards the base on the outer than on the inner web ; stripes 

 above and below the eye buff^; lores and ear-coverts black ; under surface deep fawn colour with a lighter 

 streak down the throat ; upper mandible and apical fourth of the under mandible black ; the basal three- 

 fourths of the under mandible blood-red. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



