22 HUMMING-BIRDS. 



[Case 23.]* 



POLYTMUS. " GOLDEN-THROATS." 



Eather large birds, with green plumage and tails of green and white, 

 the tail-feathers being narrow and pointed. Sexes alike. 



[Case 62.] 

 AMAZILIA. " Amazllis." 



A numerous group, consisting of not less than twenty-four species, 

 which are spread over the whole of the South- American continent 

 with the exception of Brazil, ranging northwards tbrough Central 

 America to Mexico. Some are found on the highlands, others fre- 

 quent the hot sea-coast, and do not extend above 2000 feet altitude. 

 They are fond of the blossoms of the orange- and lime-trees, and in 

 some parts of Central America are said positively to swarm about the 

 villages. 



[Case 63.] 

 BASILINNA. " Black-ears." 



Small birds with brilliant metallic plumage, the sexes being altogether 

 unlike in colour ; the bill straight, the wings long, and the tail almost 

 square. Two species are known— one, B. leucotis, ranging from Mexico 

 to Guatemala, being replaced in Southern California by B. xanihusi. 



[Case 64.] 

 EUCEPHALA. " Sapphires." 



In this genus, the prevailing colours of which are blue and bright 

 green, the bill is straight and the nostrils bare, while the tail is 

 rounded or only slightly forked. Nine species are known, most of 

 them inhabiting Brazil and very rare ; but some are found in Guiana, 

 Yenezuela, and Ecuador. 



[Case 65.] 

 DAMOPHILA. " Blue-throats." 



Only one species, D. amabilis, is known, ranging from Costa Bica 

 southwards into Ecuador. 



[Case 66.^\ 

 CHLOEOSTILBOjS". " Greenlets." 



Eight species have been described, inhabiting the entire South- 

 American continent from Brazil and the Argentine Eepublic north- 

 wards into Mexico. 



* Vide supra, p. 14. 



British Museum, ALBEET GUNTHEE. 



December 1881. 



