LIST OF SPECIES. 9 



[Case 4.] 

 PHAETHORNIS. " Long-tailed Heemits." 



This genus of Hermits contains a large number of species, distin- 

 guished by the peculiar shape of their tails, which are strongly- 

 graduated, the middle feathers being the longest, and in most of the 

 species all the tail-feathers are conspicuously tipped with white. The 

 male and female are alike in coloration. More than twenty species are 

 now recognized by naturalists ; they inhabit Central America from 

 Southern Mexico, and extend through all the countries of Western 

 America from Colombia to Peru and Bolivia, ranging also into Southern 

 Brazil. They inhabit also Venezuela and Guiana, but are not found 

 in Western Brazil. 



[Case 5.] 

 EUPETOMENA*. " Swallow-tails." 



This, the first genus of the more brilliantly plumaged Humming- 

 birds, is distinguished by its deeply forked tail and strong wings, 

 which, in the male bird, have the shafts of the primary, or long, quills 

 broad and flattened, giving the birds increased strength of flight. Two 

 species are known, E. macrura (here exhibited) from Brazil and Guiana, 

 and E. hirundo from Eastern Peru. 



[Case 6.] 

 CAMPYLOPTEEUS. " Sabee-wings." 



This genus diff'ers from the preceding in not having the tail forked. 

 Ten species have been described, which are found from Mexico through- 

 out Central America to Venezuela, Guiana, and Northern Brazil, and 

 down the western side of the continent as far as Peru. 



The Sabre-wings are powerful fliers, and appear to be somewhat 

 migratory. They are very pugnacious, and the males fight with great 

 fury in the air, the battle often terminating in the tongue of the 

 vanquished bird being split, so that it ultimately dies from inability to 

 procure food. 



[Case 7.] 

 CCELIGENA. " Caziques." 



Tail rounded and rather long. Bill straight and as long as the head. 

 Four species are known, distinguished by the different colours of their 

 throats, which are beautifully metallic. They are all inhabitants of 

 Central America. 



* The same case contains specimens of Florisuga. Vide infra, p. 11. 



