PHAETHORNIS PYGM^US 



Pig^my Hermit. 



TrocJiilus pygmmis, Spix, Av. Bras., torn, i. p. 78. tab. Ixxx. fig. 1. 

 Phaetorms pygmcetis, Bonap, Consp. Gen, Av., p. 68, Phaetornis, sp. 13. 



This being the most diminutive species of the genus Phaethornis yet discovered, the term pygynmus is a very 

 appropriate name for it. From P. eremita, to which it is nearly allied, it may be distinguished by its 

 more slender bill, by its much smaller wing, and by the rounded form and more uniform bronzy colouring 

 of its tail, the extremities of the feathers only being tipped with buff. 



The true habitat of this diminutive bird is the southern portions of Brazil. It inhabits in tolerable 

 abundance the province of Rio de Janeiro, but I have not seen it so far to the north as Bahia, a part of the 

 country from whence the P, eremita is occasionally sent. 



The sexes present the usual differences in size, the female being much smaller than her mate; but no 

 variation whatever is found in their colouring. 



The figure of the beautiful nest represented on the accompanying Plate is copied from a drawing sent to 

 me by Mr. Reeves, It will be seen that the interior of this delicate structure is formed of the softest 

 materials, — the wool-like fibres of some flowering plant, sparingly decorated on the outside with thistle- 

 down-like seeds, &c. 



Nothing whatever is known of its habits. 



Upper surface and wing-coverts greenish bronze, inclining to dark brown on the head ; wings purplish 

 brown; tail pale bronzy brown, slightly tipped with buflf; lores and ear-coverts black ; line above the eye 

 buff; rump and upper tail-coverts deep rust-red; under surface paler rust-red, crossed on the breast with a 

 conspicuous crescent of black; base of the lower mandible fleshy-yellow; the remainder of the bill black j 

 feet yellow. 



The Plate represents a male, a female, a nest and eggs, of the natural size. 



