EUCEPHALA PYROPYGIA, Salvm Sf Godmm. 



Fire-rumped Sapphire. 



Eucephala ptjropygia, Salvin & Godman, Ibis, 1881, p. 596. 



This is the latest-described of all the species of Sapphires, and seems to be a very distinct one. It is allied 

 to E. hypocyanea, but is distinguished by its glittering- head; and its habitat is supposed to be Ecuador; but 

 this is not yet satisfactorily ascertained. Messrs. Salvin and Godman write further :— " Its position in this 

 genus seems to be certainly next to ^. hypocyanea, near to which E. mhccerulea, Elliot, must also stand; but 

 from both these species it differs in having a shining green crown, slightly washed with blue. 



The following is a translation of the original description given by Messrs. Salvin and Godman : — 

 Green, with the top of the head and the under surface of the body shining bluish green, the whole of the 

 middle of the throat washed with brighter blue ; lower back russet, with the upper tail-coverts coppery 

 reddish; wings dusky; tail only slightly rounded, steel-black. Total length 3-4 inches, wing 1-9, centre 

 tail-feathers I'l, outer ones TO, bill from gape 0-9. 



EUCEPHALA SUBC^RULEA, ii:;/«o< 



Blue-breasted Sapphire. 



Eucephala mhccerulea, Elliot, Ibis, 1874, p. 87. — Muls. Hist. Nat. Oiseaux-Mouches, ii 

 p, 35 (1875).— Elliot, Synopsis of the Humming-Birds, p. 230 (1878).— 

 Eudes-Deslongcliamps, Annuaire Mus. d'Hist. Nat. Caen, i. 457 (1881). 



This species was described by Mr. Elliot, and I bave never seen a specimen myself. It is shown by bim 

 to belong to the green-headed section of the genus, and differs from its allies in having the throat, breast, 

 and abdomen ceerulean blue, with the upper and under tail-coverts dark green. 



Mr, Elliot gives the following account of the bird, which is supposed to have come from Brazil : — 

 " This species appears to be intermediate between E, cwrulea and E. hypocyanea, as represented bv 

 the type in Mr. Gould's collection. From the first of these it can be readily distinguished by the rich blue 

 of the underparts, wbich are metallic green in E, ccenilea, the blue being confined in tbat species to a spot 

 on the chin. To the second of tbe above-named species it bears a closer affinity, but differs in the dull 

 green upper tail-coverts, tbe metallic green under tail-coverts, and huffy white thighs, these parts in 

 E. hypocyanea being respectively reddish bronze, brownish black witb bronzy tips, and brown. Besides 

 these differences, the blue of the under surface is not of the same colour, and also differently dispersed 

 over the plumage." 



'' Upper part of head and back dark dull green, rest of back and upper tail-coverts dark green, with 

 a rufous tinge dispersed all over these parts ; throat, breast, and abdomen beautiful metallic caerulean blue ; 

 flanks shining grass-green. Lower part of abdomen covered by fluffy white feathers. Under tail-coverts 

 metaUic green. Wings purple. Tail bluish black. Maxilla black ; mandible yellow^ (in life possibly red) 

 for its entire length, save the tip, which is black. Feet brownish black. Thighs huffy white. Length 3^ 

 inches, bill f, wing 28, tail H." 



