EUPHERUSA POLIOCERCA, E/;/o^. 



Grey Stripetail. 



Euphei'usa poliocerca, Elliot, Ann. & Mag. of Nat. Hist. 4tli series, vol. viii. p. 266. — 

 Mulsant, Hist. Nat. Ois.-Mouches, i. p. 271.— Sclater & Salv. Nomencl. Av. 

 Neotr. p. 92 (1873).— Elliot, Synopsis of Trochilidse, p. 212 (1879). 



The present species was described by Mr. D. G. Elliot from a specimen procured by M. Eugene Rebouch, 

 a young collector for the well-known naturalist Mr. A. Boucard. The type specimen, which still remains 

 unique in Mr. Elliot's collection, was obtained at Putla, in Western Mexico, on the Pacific slope. 



There are three closely allied sjiecies in the genus Eupherusa, the differences between which are set forth 

 by Mr. Elliot in his 'Synopsis.' In E. poliocerca the two central tail-feathers are light bronze-green, the 

 lateral ones white margined with purplish grey. In the second species, E. ewimia, the tail is dark greenish 

 bronze, the two outermost feathers with the basal two thirds of the inner webs white; while the third, 

 E. egregia, has the four central rectrices dark greenish bronze, the remainder white margined with black. 



"This species," says Mr. Elliot, *' is most nearly allied to Euphenisa egregia^ but can at once be distin- 

 guished from it, as well as all the other members of the genus, by its tail. In E. egregia the four centre 

 tail-feathers are black, and the remainder are black at the tips ; in the present species only the two median 

 feathers are bronzy, all the remainder being as described above. This bird was obtained in a small collection 

 of birds procured at Putla, in the western part of Mexico, This is the third species now known of the genus 

 Euphenisa, which was for a long time only represented by ^. eochnia. The species are as follows: — E. eochma 

 from Guatemala, E, egregia from Veragua, E. poUocerca from Putla, in Western Mexico. Two species named 

 respectively E, cupreiceps and E. nigrwentris have been allotted to this genus ; but I think that they will 

 hereafter be assigned to another genus, Thaumatias^ to which they seem more naturally to belong." 



" Adult male. — Top of head and upper surface bronzy green ; entire underparts brilliant grass-green. 

 Wings purple ; secondaries chestnut-red. Under tail-coverts pure white. Two central tail-feathers light 

 bronze-green, purplish at the tips, remaining ones white, purplish grey on the edges of the outer webs and 

 on the tips. Bill black; feet flesh-colour. Total length 3| inches, wing 2i, tail If, culmen I inch." 



The female is at present unknown. 



I have in the present case quoted largely from my friend Mr. Elliot's work ; but it was unavoidable, as 

 there is absolutely nothing known of the species beyond the account which he has given of it. 



The figures in the Plate represent males, of the natural size, drawn from the typical specimens lent to me 

 by Mr. Elliot. 



