CALOTHORAX MULSANTL 



Mulsant's Wood Star. 



Ornismya Mulsanti, Bourc. Ann. Sci. Phys. &c. de Lyon, torn. v. 1842, p. 342. tab. xx 

 Mellimga Mulsanti, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 113, Mellisuga, sp. 63. 

 CalotJiorax Mulsanti, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 85. 



The paucity of web on the outer tail-featliers, which forms so striking a pecuHarity in the members of the 

 genus Calothorax, being carried in this species to its maximum, it is rendered conspicuously distinct from 

 the whole of its congeners. Although it is one of the more recently discovered of the Trochilidce, it is 

 now very common in all collections, but at the same time is rarely seen in the very perfect state repre- 

 sented in the accompanying Plate from specimens in my possession. As far as my own knowledge of its 

 habitat extends, I believe it to be confined to the temperate regions of Columbia ; M. Bourcier states that 

 it is also found in the Yungas of Bolivia, but I apprehend he must have been misinformed on this point, for 

 I have never yet seen examples from that country, and do not think it likely that it will be found there. 

 The greater portion of the collections sent from Sta Fe de Bogota comprise numerous examples of this species 

 in one or other of its various states of plumage ; which indeed are so varied as to prove that much remains 

 yet to be learnt respecting the changes which this bird and its allies undergo from youth to maturity. 



M. Bourcier, the original describer of the species, states that he has named it Mulsanti, in honour of his 

 friend M. Mulsant, so well known for his many excellent works on Entomology. 



The male has the head, upper surface, wing-coverts and flanks dark shining green ; wings purple-brown ; 

 tail purplish black; chin, line below the eye, under surface, and a tuft behind the insertion of the thigh 

 white ; on the throat a large inverted heart-shaped mark of rich lustrous violet-red ; bill and feet black. 



The female has the upper surface and wings similar to those of the male ; the tail sandy bufl^, crossed 

 about the centre by a broad band of deep black ; throat and chest white, with a patch of dark olive-green 

 on the sides of the neck ; upper part of the flanks shining green ; lower part of the flanks and under tail- 

 coverts reddish buff; tufts above and behind the insertion of the thigh white; feathers of the thigh broAvn. 



I have figured this beautiful bird on one of the commonest plants of the country it inhabits, the Brug- 

 mansia arborea, the flowers of which it doubtless explores during its erratic wanderings in search of its insect 

 and saccharine food ; but the flowers of the various species of Mimosa appear to be those which it 

 principally frequents. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



