^ 



AGL.^ACTIS CUPRIPENNIS. 



Shining* Sun-beam. 



Trochilus cupripennis, Bourc. et Muls. Rev. Zool. 1843, p. 71. — ^Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyons, 



1843, p. 46. 

 Mellisuga cupripennis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga, sp. 25, & vol. iii. 



App. p. 5. App. to p. 112. 

 AglcEactis cupripennis, Bonap. Consp. Gen, Av., p. 73, Aglmactis, sp. 1. — Reichenb. Aufz. der 



Colibris, p. 9. 



— cupreipennis, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 253. 



Uelianthea cupripe?mis, Reichenb. Troch. enumer., p. 6. pi. dccxxxvii. figs. 4689, 4690. 



Undoubtedly the greatest living naturalist of the age is Baron Humboldt : in calling this eminent man a 

 naturalist, let it not be supposed that I wish in any way to detract from his other even higher qualifications 

 of a geognosist, a linguist, and a clear-sighted politician ; but to the appellation of a great naturalist he is 

 clearly entitled by virtue of his ''Aspects of Nature," — a work which will live long after this Nestor of 

 science has quitted the world about which he has so ably written. Now it so happens, that those parts 

 of the vast Andean ranges so prolific in beautiful Humming Birds, form the theme of the work above 

 alluded to, and the subject of many passages in his *' Personal Narrative " and his " Cosmos." Humboldt 

 could not, therefore, have failed to observe the bird here represented, as well as many other equally rare 

 and beautiful species ; yet, strange to say, not one was collected by him, nor for nearly thirty years after 

 his return were Trochilidists aware of the existence of these lovely Andean birds. Humboldt was the 

 scientific pioneer who opened up these fine regions, but, his mind being attracted to higher objects, he 

 did not direct his attention to the birds, though he must have seen them. The path once trodden, and the 

 way to these vast ranges of mountains shown, collectors were soon upon the track and reaped a rich harvest 

 in every department of natural history, but in none more than in ornithology. The native countries of this 

 fine species are Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru, particularly their temperate regions, where civilized man is 

 naturally tempted to roam, and where the bird, from its large size and glittering colour, must be an object 

 of great attraction and interest. Although but a few years have elapsed since its discovery, it has now 

 become very common, and is to be found in every collection. It has always been a great favourite with 

 myself, and doubtless its light brown colouring and the lovely hues of its glittering back have rendered it 

 equally charming to others. 



It forms a typical example of the genus AglceactiSy the members of which are all remarkable for the 

 lengthened plumes which spring from the chest, and for the rich hues which adorn the back not being 

 perceptible until the bird is viewed from behind, or reversely to the direction of the feathers. 



The sexes are very similar in general appearance, but the female is at once distinguished by the entire 

 absence of the fine colours on the back, which form so conspicuous a feature in the opposite sex. 



The Trochilidae are known to evince a decided partiality for the flowers of certain trees and shrubs ; they 

 do not, however, confine themselves to these exclusively, but occasionally pay their devoirs to any that may 

 be in bloom : in this way the various species of Cactus^ as well as other plants of more humble pretensions, 

 are visited by them : but it must not be concluded, that because I have figured this species on the Cereus 

 MacDonaldicB, it is more frequently resorted to than any of the numerous other fine flowers which occur in 

 its native wilds ; it is more likely that it is only one of those which it occasionally visits. 



The male has the head and nape, and the back when viewed in the direction of the feathers, of a velvety 



