LIST OF SPECIES. 17 



[Cases 34, 35.] 

 CH^TOCERCUS. " Wood-stars." 



These tiny little birds are scarcely bigger than large bees, and one 

 of them has been appropriately named C. homhus (Humble-bee). The 

 tail is remarkable for its lengthened and pointed outside feathers. 

 Three species are known — G.jourdaini from Trinidad, C. rosce from 

 Venezuela, and C. homhus from Ecuador. 



THAUMASTURA. ^^^^^ "^^'^ " Shear-tail." 



Distiuguished by its peculiarly-shaped tail, the feathers of which 

 are pointed, the middle ones being greatly elongate. It is only found 

 in Peru, where it inhabits the humid districts. Several pairs are 

 generally met with together. The males are extremely pugnacious, 

 driving off every other kind of Humming-bird which ventures to enter 

 their territory. The sexes are different, the female being much duller 

 in colour. Only one species, T. corcp,, is at present known. 



[Cases 32, 37.] 

 DORICHA AND MYETIS. "Wood-stars." 



The tail, which has been the principal distinguishing feature of 

 several of the genera previously noticed, is here still more remarkable, 

 the centre feathers being so short as to be hardly distinguishable from 

 their coverts. The bill is rather long and slender, and the feet are 

 small. The sexes are different in colour. Eive species are known, 

 inhabiting Central America from Veragua to Mexico, as well as the 

 Bahama Islands, whence two species have been described. 



TILMATURA. ^^^^^ ^^'^ " Spabkling-tail." 



Wings rather short and somewhat sickle-shaped. The tail-feathers 

 are pointed, and the outermost narrow towards the tip, which is curved 

 inwards ; the tail is ornamented with alternating bands. One species, 

 T. duponti, from Guatemala. 



LOPHORNIS. teases 39, 40, 41.] .^ Coquettes." 



Easily recognized by their crested heads and the tufted feathers or 

 ruffs which project on each side of the throat. They inhabit the whole 

 of Central America, from Mexico southwards, as well as the greater 

 part of the South- American continent, except the parts lying south of 

 Brazil and Peru. Ten species are known, of which the following are 

 exhibited : — L. delattrii, inhabiting Panama and southwards through 

 Colombia and Ecuador to Peru ; L. ornatus, from Venezuela and 

 Guiana ; L. gouldi, from Amazonia ; L. magnificHS, from Brazil ; 

 L. verreauxi, from Colombia and Peru ; and L. cai-ihbcea, from Brazil. 



