PHAETHORNIS INTERMEDIUS. 



Middle-sized Hermit. 



Trochilus intermedins, Less. Les Troch., p. 65. pi. 19. 



Phatornis intermedins, Gray and Mitch. Gen, of Birds, vol. i. p. 104, Ph(jetornis, sp. 8 



Phaetornis intermedins, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 67, Phaetornis, sp. 8. 



The members of the genus Phaethornk form a distinct and well-marked section of the Trochilidae, and as 

 the species are very numerous and very widely dispersed, they must play a considerable part in the economy 

 of nature in the portions of the country they frequent ; the present bird is an inhabitant of Brazil, to which 

 country I believe it to be solely confined: from the notes of Mr, Reeves I learn that it is very common in 

 all the virgin forests near Rio de Janeiro, and that its habits and economy closely resemble those of P. 

 Eurynome and the other members of the genus. It is by no means an attractive species, either m its 

 colouring or in any other particular, and is indeed more sombre in its general appearance than any of its 



allies. 



The only external differences between the sexes consist in the somewhat larger size and bolder style of 



markings of the male. 



General hue of the upper surface bronzy brown, glossed with green on the back and wing-coverts ; wings 

 purplish brown ; lateral tail-feathers bronzy green deepening into blackish brown near the tip, at which is 

 an arrow-head-shaped mark of white tinged with buff, the buff tinge predominating on the two outer 

 feathers ; two central tail-feathers bronzy green for two-thirds of their length, the remaining apical third 

 being white; above the eye a streak of buff; lores and ear-coverts dark brown, beneath which is another 

 stripe of buff; throat dark brown ; under surface buff, clouded with olive-brown on the sides of the neck and 

 flanks ; upper mandible and tip of the under one blackish brown, basal half of the latter buff; feet yellow 

 or flesh-coloured. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



