CHRYSURONIA ELICIT. 



Elicia's Golden Tail. 



Trochilm Elicia, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyon, 1846, p. 314,— lb. Rev. Zool 



1846, p. 316. 

 Polytmus Elicia, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 109, Polytmus, sp. 82. 

 Chrysuronia elicia, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 254. 



Eliciae, Reiclienb. Aufz. der Col., p. 9. 



eliciae, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 75, Chrysuronia, sp. 3. 



Of this charming little bird little or nothing is known further than that it is a native of Central America, 

 whence I have received specimens direct from several correspondents, among whom I may mention 

 M. Warszewicz, M. Salle, and George Ure Skinner, Esq. ; all the examples sent by the latter gentleman 

 were procured in Guatemala. 



Although the Chrysuronia Elicice is not distinguished by any great brilliancy of colouring, its blue throat 

 and rich bronzy tail harmonize so well, as to render it as I have termed it above, a very charming little 

 bird. The female has many characters in common with the male, but she may at once be distinguished by 

 the obscure tipping of her tail-feathers, the lesser amount of blue on the throat, and the more buffy 

 colouring of the abdomen. 



This pretty species has been named by M. Bourcier in honour of Madame Elicia Alain. 



The male has the head, all the upper surface, wing-coverts and flanks dark green ; wings dark purplish 

 brown ; upper tail-coverts coppery bronze ; tail both on the upper and under surface golden bronze ; throat 

 deep shining lazuline blue ; abdomen dull greyish buff, washed with green ; vent white ; under tail-coverts 

 dull fawn colour ; bill fleshy red at the base, black at the tip. 



The female is similar to the male in many respects, but is not so brilliant in colour ; has the tail of a 

 more coppery hue, the lateral feathers slightly tipped with buff, and only a trace of the fine blue on the throat. 



The figures are of the natural size. The plant is the Stanhopea ecornuta. 



