18 HUMMING-BIRDS. 



[Case 42.] 

 GOULDIA and DISCURA. " Thorn-tails." 



As implied by the English name, the tail-feathers of Gouldia are 

 much elongated and sharply pointed ; the tarsi are " booted " or covered 

 with a tuft of feathers. Eour species have been described, of which 

 three are exhibited, viz.: — G. popelairii, from Colombia, Ecuador, and 

 Peru ; G. langsdorffi, from Brazil and Upper Amazonia ; and G. con- 

 versi, from Colombia. Discura has a racket at the end of the tail, and 

 contains only one species, D. longicauda. 



[Case 43.] 

 STEGANURA. " Racket-tails." 



In this genus the elongate narrowed tail-feathers terminate in rackets 

 or spatules ; tarsi booted. Six species are known, which inhabit South 

 America from Venezuela and Colombia, through Ecuador and Peru, 

 into Bolivia. 



[Case 44.] 

 LESBIA and CYNANTHUS. " Train-bearers." 



Tail forked, with the outer feathers excessively elongate. The bill 

 is very short and straight. Eour species have been described, from the 

 highlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. 



[Case 45.] 

 SAPPHO. « Comets." 



These birds are perhaps the most gorgeous in existence as regards 

 tbe colouring of their tails, which much resemble in shape that of 

 Lesbia. They are of large size, and inhabit Peru, Bolivia, and the 

 Argentine Republic, from which countries three species are known. 



[Case 46.] 

 OXYPOGON. '< Helmet-crests." 



Distinguished by a crest and a lengthened beard of white or buff- 

 coloured feathers, which hangs from the throat. Two species — Oxy- 

 pcgon lindeni from Venezuela, replaced by 0. guerini in Colombia. 



[Cases 46, 47.] 

 RHAMPHOMICRON. « Thorn-bills." 



The bill is remarkably minute for the size of the bird. This genus 

 also has a lengthened beard on the throat, like the preceding one, but 



