ADELOMYIA MACULATA, Gould. 



Spotted Adelomyia. 



In the letterpress accompanying my plate of A. melanogenys, I stated that the range of that species extended 

 "from the Caraccas to Ecuador and Pern," but I find that the birds ranging over these countries are 

 referable to two very distinct species. Those from the Caraccas, from which my figures were taken, are 

 much smaller in size and have much broader tail-feathers than those from Ecuador. The question then 

 arises, which of the two should bear the specific name oi melatiogenys} This unfortunately I have no means 

 of determining; I have therefore thought it desirable to give a name to the bird inhabiting Ecuador. 

 That the A. maculata ranges widely I know ; for I have seen examples from Ecuador, Peru, and the banks 

 of the Napo. There appears to be no outward difference in the sexes, at least I find no perceptible 

 variation in the colouring of the great number of specimens now before me. If it should ultimately 

 prove that the terms melanogenys, SahincB, and rnaciilata are all one and the same species, then a new 

 name must be proposed for the little bird collected by Mr. Dyson in the Caraccas. If, on the other hand, 

 the term melajiogenysh^ allowed to stand as the specific designation of that bird, so much the better; as, by 

 that means, much confusion will be obviated. 



It will be observed that, although any brilliant colouring is denied to the under surface of most of the 

 members of the genus Adelomyia, the green of their backs and upper surface is more than usually lustrous. 



All the upper surface shining bronzy green ; wings deep brownish purple ; two centre tail-feathers 

 greenish purple glossed with bronze ; the remainder of the same hue on the outer webs and across the inner 

 vveb near the tip, the basal portion of the inner web and the tips of both webs being buffy white ; under 

 surface mingled buff and bronzy green, assuming a spotted character on the throat. 



The figures are of the natural size. The plant is the Abutilon hwgne. 



