ERIOCNEMIS NIGRIVESTIS. 



Black-breasted Puff-les:. 



Trochilus nigrivestis, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyon, 1852, p 

 Eriocnemys nigrivestis, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 252. 

 Eriocnemis nigriventris, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col., p. 9. 

 ? vestinigra, Verr. MS. ? 



One of the greatest enjoyments experienced by the naturalist is doubtless that of exploring countries hitherto 

 untrodden by the scientific man, where, ever and anon, an object is presented to his notice which has never 

 before been seen ; under such circumstances time passes quickly — the mind is at ease, or merely tempered with 

 sufficient excitement to favour good health and an exuberance of spirits; and second only to this pleasure is 

 that of receiving communications and collections from correspondents in far distant countries. In one of the 

 numerous letters received from my friend Professor Jameson, of Quito, a gentleman who has so largely 

 contributed to our knowledge of the natural productions of the primeval forests of Ecuador, occurs the fol- 

 lowing passage: — "There is one species of Humming-bird which I am particularly desirous of procuring for 

 you. It is an inhabitant of the upper boundary of the forest, and is as black as charcoal, with white boots. 

 Should I have the good luck to obtain a specimen, it shall be immediately sent off to your address." Feeling 

 assured that such a bird was new to science, I replied immediately, urgently pressing my friend to procure 

 and forward it ; and at length the subject of the present Plate was transmitted to me. On examination it did 

 not quite agree with Professor Jameson's description, but it is doubtless the bird he referred to, as it would 

 appear coal-black when flying at a distance. M. Bourcier of Paris, however, had the gratification of first 

 receiving the species through another channel, and from another part of the country, the environs of Tumbaro. 

 By this gentleman it was named nigrivestis, " dressed in black." It is in every respect a typical member of 

 the genus, and is most nearly allied to E. vestita. 



The general plumage of the male is black, with green reflexions, relieved on the throat by a patch of deep 

 blue, bordered in some instances with minute glittering green feathers ; lower part of the back inclining to 

 deep grass-green ; wings blackish purple ; upper tail-coverts dull indigo-blue ; tail deep bluish black ; under 

 tail-coverts lazuline blue ; legs clothed with white down-like feathers ; bill black. 



The general plumage of the female is greenish bronze, becoming of a purer and more shining green on 

 the upper tail-coverts and lower part of the abdomen ; wings, tail and under tail-coverts as in the male ; 

 breast coppery green, with a patch of greenish blue on the throat ; from the angle of the bill a small 

 moustache of buflfy white. 



Through the kindness of Professor Jameson, I am enabled to figure both sexes, of the natural size, on one 

 of the fine Orchids of the country, the Anguloa uniflora. 



