CALOTHORAX R0SJ3. 



Crimson-throated Wood-Star. 



Trochilus Rosa, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyons, torn. ix. 1846, p. 316 

 Mellisuga rosa, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 113, MelUsuga, sp. 64. 

 CalotJiorax Rosae, Reich. Aufz. der Col., p. 13. 

 Rosa, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 257. 



It cannot be said that our friends the French Trochilidists have been wanting in gallantry to the ladies 

 when naming the new species they have acquired of this lovely group of birds, since, as will be seen, 

 no inconsiderable number of them have been assigned appellations in honour of various members of the 

 fairer portion of the community ; consequently, complaint cannot be made that lordly man has engrossed 

 all the honours. Thus the name of Roses has been applied by M. Bourcier, to the beautiful little Humming- 

 bird figured on the accompanying Plate, in honour of Madame Rose Duquaire. Without intending any 

 disrespect to the fair recipients of such honours, I cannot refrain from recording my dissent from this 

 practice of naming species after individuals ; it is true that I have done so myself in some few instances 

 where it appeared unavoidable ; nevertheless it is certainly one of those modes of complimenting persons 

 which will be more honoured in the breach than in the observance. The bird in question, however, is 

 certainly one of great beauty, and worthy in every respect to be dedicated to the fairest lady. It is a native 

 of the Caraccas, where it appears to be common, the late Mr. Dyson having obtained numerous examples 

 during his visit, and others having been procured by every collector who has explored that country. 



Independently of the pure crimson colouring of its throat, which is of a deeper tint than in any other 

 species, its singularly formed tail will constitute a specific character by which it may at all times be distin- 

 guished : these feathers, some of which are very short, present a split and ragged appearance, particularly 

 the four longest of them, namely the two next the outer one on each side ; the first or outer feather is 

 extremely pointed, and not half the length of the next two, and the four middle ones are so short as to be 

 almost hidden by the coverts. As will be observed on reference to the Plate, the female is totally different 

 from the male both in her colouring and in the form of her tail. 



The male has the head, all the upper surface, wing- and tail-coverts, four centre tail-feathers, flanks and 

 abdomen, bronzy-green ; wings purple-brown ; lateral tail-feathers purplish-brown, with a stripe of sandy- 

 red down the centre of the basal half of the two longer ones ; on the chin and throat a gorget of the richest 

 lu minous crimson ; across the breast a band of greyish-white. 



The female has the whole of the upper surface, centre tail-feathers, wing-coverts and flanks golden-green ; 

 wings purplish-brown ; three outer feathers on each side sandy-buff, crossed obliquely by a broad mark of 

 black ; under surface deep buff. 



The Plate represents the sexes of the natural size. 



