HELIANGELUS AMETHYSTICOLLIS. 



Amethystine Sun Angel. 



OrthorhyncJms amethysticolMs, D'Orb. et LaFres. Syn. Av., p. 31. — D'Orb. Voy. clans l'Amer. 



Mer., torn. iv. p. 576, torn. viii. pi. 60. %. 2. 

 Mellisuga amethysticollis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga, sp. 40. 

 Trochilus amet/iysticottis, Tschudi, Consp. Av., no. 207. 

 Lampornis amethysticollis, Tscliudi, Faun. Per., p. 246. 

 Heliangelus amethysticollis, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 76 y Heliangelus, sp. 6. — lb. Rev. et 



Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252. 

 Anactoria amethysticollis, Reicbenb. Aufz. der Colibris, p. 12. 



This beautiful Humming Bird was first made known to science by M. D'Orbigny, who procured a single 

 example of it during his journey into Bolivia. It was subsequently found by Mr. Bridges in the same country, 

 and it is from that source that the specimens in my own collection were obtained ; I also received a single 

 example from M. Warszewicz, who killed it in Northern Peru. Peru and Bolivia, then, evidently constitute 

 the true habitat of this species, which may be regarded as the southern representative of the well-defined 

 geuus to which the appellation of Heliangelus has been given. In size and in the semi-rounded form of 

 its tail it assimilates to H Clarissce ; but it differs from that, as well as from every other member of the 

 genus, in the buff colouring of its gorget, in the central line of the abdomen being buff, and in the under 

 tail-coverts being of a darker hue ; a marked difference from all its congeners is also presented in the 

 greater size of the glittering green spot on the forehead, which, instead of being confined to the front, 

 extends towards the crown. The female offers the usual difference in the colouring of the plumage, but 

 preserves the buff band across the breast so characteristic of the male. 



The specimen of this bird procured by M. D'Orbigny was obtained on the eastern slope of the Cordilleras 

 in the country of the Yuracares near Cochabamba, at the upper limit of the woody vegetation. Its stomach 

 contained numerous grubs and the larvse of hemipterous insects. 



The male has a large mark of luminous green on the forehead ; chin black ; throat rich luminous violet- 

 red or puce colour, the blue or violaceous hue prevailing on the upper and lateral margins ; below this a 

 wide gorget of buff, succeeded by a series of green feathers, very narrow in the centre, broad on the sides, 

 and blending with the bronzy green of the flanks ; head, upper surface and wing-coverts bronzy green ; the 

 head, however, when viewed in front, appears black ; lores and sides of the neck velvety black, separating 

 the colours of the upper and under surface of the head and neck ; immediately behind the eye a very 

 small spot of buffy white ; wings chocolate-brown ; two central tail-feathers bronzy green ; lateral tail- 

 feathers dull black, the three outermost on each side tipped with brownish grey ; abdomen mottled buff and 

 bronzy green ; under tail-coverts greyish white ; bill black ; feet brown. 



The female has a faint indication of the luminous green on the forehead ; head, upper surface and central 

 tail-feathers bronzy green ; lateral tail-feathers black ; throat mottled buff and black ; the buff gorget not so 

 decided, and the luminous green feathers'below far less conspicuous than in the male. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



