RAMPHOMICRON RUFICEPS, Gould. 



Red-capped Thorn-Bill. 



Trochilus ( — ?) rujiceps^ Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part xiv. p. 89. 



Mellisuga ruficeps, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 112, Mellisuga, sp. 29. 



Ramphomicron ruficeps^ Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., p. 79, Ramphomicron^ sp. 3. 



With the exception of Ramphomicron microrhynchus, this is the least species of the genus with which I am 

 acquainted; it is most nearly allied to R, heteropogon, but may at once be distinguished from that species 

 by its red crown and by the nearly uniform hue of the gorget or throat-mark. A single specimen only 

 graces my collection ; the discovery of which is due to Mr. Bridges, who brought this and numerous other 

 treasures from the interior of Bolivia. The only other species of Ramphomicron with a red crown is the 

 beautiful R. Herrani^ but with this bird the R. rujiceps can never be confounded. 



Mr. Bridges informed me that the specimen above alluded to was found by him at Unduave, in the 

 Yungas of La Paz. 



Crown deep rusty red; throat lustrous bronzy green; upper surface green; under surface brownish 

 green ; tail pure bronze ; wings purplish brown ; bill black. 



