HYLONYMPHA MACROCERCA, GouM. 



Great Forked-tailed Humming'-bird. 



Hylonympha macrocerca, Gould, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1873, vol. xii. p. 429. — Elliot, 

 Synopsis of the Trochilidae, p. 79. — Mulsant, Hist. Nat. Ois.-Mouches, torn. iii. 

 p. 57. 



In looking over the above references it will be seen that seven years have passed since I first became 

 acquainted with this fine bird. Mr. Whitely, of Woolwich, called on me one day unexpectedly, and said 

 "I have a fine new Humming-bird to show you; and if you wish it, it may be placed in your cabinet; 

 and afterwards this unique specimen may be figured in your Supplement." For this offer I tendered my 

 thanks, saying that the public would be as much gratified as I was, I then urged him to do all he could to 

 obtain the female, as well as more males. He answered ; — "No perseverance shall be wanting on my part; 

 but I shall not easily succeed. Few of the public know that a considerable trade is carried on between 

 Brazil and London almost solely in birds' skins and feathers; these are only for decoration. Humming- 

 birds of any kind are preferred for the skirts of ladies' dresses, the hair, and bonnets. Few of the birds are 

 shot ; the rich landlords employ their slaves, who set finely meshed nets in the glades of the forest to catch 

 them." 



Thousands of the beautiful ruby and topaz Humming-birds are sent to this metropolis every year. As 

 these seldom undergo a critical examination, it has frequently struck me that my new bird was imported 

 in this way. But after waiting seven years for the female without success, and no other male appearing, I 

 had determined to give a representation of the unique male. Suddenly all these plans were frustrated 

 by the arrival of seventy males and two females, to the astonishment of every pei'son fond of Humming-birds. 

 Every Trochilidist wondered how so large a bird could have escaped the notice of travellers, and particularly 

 traders in such countries as Brazil, and w^ith myself have eagerly desired to ascertain the particular district 

 of that huge empire it inhabits. This is now, I think, positively known. Mr, Henry Whitely states, this 

 bird lives in the'^Matura district, Manawas, on the river Bia, North Brazil." 



The great number of males which arrived the other day showed me that some variety exists in that sex ; 

 in some the longest tail-feathers are pointed, in others rounded, the latter being two inches shorter than 



the former. 



Its nearest ally is Heliodom leadbeaten, and not Thaluranta (as first suggested in the 'Annals'). 



Bill stout, somewhat curved, a little longer than the head; wings rather long and falciform; feet and 

 toes small ; tarsi clothed ; tail ample, deeply forked, and larger in comparison with the size of the body 

 than that of any other member of the family. Crown of the head glittering blue, with a reflection of green 

 towards the edges; throat very fine green, passing into dull green on the flanks; abdomen black, glossed 

 with o-reen • feathers clothiuif the tarsi dark brown on the outer side, and white on the inner; under tail- 

 coverts black ; all the ten feathers of the tail, the outer ones of which are very broad, a uniform steel-black. 



Total length 8i inches, bill 1, wing 2f, tail 6, tarse i. 



The female differs from the male in that it has a much shorter tail and is very much varied in colour. 

 The bill is like that of the male; and of the form of the w^ing the same may be said. The colouring of 

 the tail of the female is very variable; the outer feather is tipped with greyish white as in my illustration, 

 while the long swinging tail of the male is black from end to end. The admeasurements of the female 

 are — total length about 51 inches, wing 2J, tarse i. 



The Plate represents male and female, natural size. 



