• LAMPORNIS CALOSOMA, Etuot. 



Elliofs Topaz. 



Ckrysolampis chlorolamiis, Elliot, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) vi. p. 346 (1870). 

 Lamporfiis calosoma, Sclater & Salvin, Ibis, 1871, p. 429, — Elliot, Ibis, 1872, p. 351. — 

 Mulsant, Hist. Nat. Ois.-Mouches, i. p. 177. — Elliot, Synops. Humming-birds, p. 41. 



It is now ten years ago since this beautiful species was described by my friend Mr. Elliot; and the specimen 

 still remains unique in the collection of the latter gentleman. As he observes, I gave him my opinion at 

 the time that the species ought to be placed in the genus Chrysolampis \ and although in deference to the 

 judgment of Mr. Salvin and Mr. Elliot I go so far as to follow them in the present work and place it in 

 the genus Lampornh, I believe in my innermost heart that they are mistaken, and that the bird is a true 

 Ckrysolampis — if, indeed, it should not be placed in a genus by itself. I would ask any body to compare the 

 figures which I have drawn in order to show both the back and front views of the bird, and to say which 

 form the present species most resembles, Lampornis or Ckrysolampis, It has not the long bill nor the 

 forked tail of the former genus, characters in my opinion quite sufficient to separate it from that; but, 

 on the other hand, let it be compared with Ckrysolampis moschitus, in how many characters they agree ! 

 First, there is the small bill, the metallic crown, the darker back, and the rounded tail, with the coppery- 

 brown central tail-feathers, though it is true that in L. calosoma the remainder of the rectrices are 

 pm-ple; still the general character of the plumage is like that oi C inoschitus -, and, again, on the under 

 surftice the metallic throat, the dark belly, the chestnut under tail-coverts, and the under surface of the tail 

 all remind us of the last-named species. If, therefore, as I anticipate, the bird should be one day replaced 

 in the genus Ckrysolampis, the specific name oi chlorolmnus will have to be restored as well. 



Mr. Elliot writes: — "The habitat of this species is unknown; but it is not unlikely that it may be a 

 native of the West-Indian Islands, of whose ornithology we at present know nothing. If this supposition 

 should prove to be correct, a fine field still remains unexplored for some enterprising naturalist; for among 

 the members of the genus Lampornis the present species is one of the very handsomest, and doubtless many 

 equally fine birds in this and other families are still unknown to science to reward the researches of the 

 explorer." 



The following description is given by Mr. Elliot in his * Synopsis : ' — 



''Male. Top of head and neck pale metallic silvery green, in some lights purplish; a black band across 

 the back; rest of upper parts dark green ; tail fiery copper-colour, the feathers margined with blackish 

 purple; throat brilliant emerald-green ; underparts purplish black ; spot of white on the flanks ; under tail- 

 coverts chestnut ; bill black. 



'* Total length 4 inches, wing 21, tail If, culmen f ." 



The Plate contains two figures of the unique type, and shows both back and front views of the bird, for 

 reasons specified above. I am indebted to Mr, Elliot for the loan of the specimen from which the figures 

 are drawn. 



