Genera of Humming Birds, 15 



Both sexes are exactly like the preceding species. The only 

 way of distinguishing it is by the feathers of the tail, which 

 are of uniform width ; meanwhile in C. lucifer the outermost 

 rectrices are filiform in shape, almost denuded of webs and 

 pointed. I really do not know if it is sufficient to con- 

 sider it as a species, and much less a genus as made by Mr. 

 Mulsant. 



It is true that all the species 'secured by me in Oaxaca 

 (Mexico) in June, 1857. among which are the types of the 

 species, were alike. 



I used to kill them in the gardens of that city. 



Genus IX. Acestrura, Gould, Int. Troch. 1861, p. 91. 



Polymnia, Muls. and Verr. Class. Troch, 1865, p. 91. 

 Acestura, Muls. Hist. Nat. des Ois, m. t. iv., p. 117. 

 Myrmia, Muls. Cat. Ois. mouch, 1875, p. 32. 



Type O. mulsanti, Bourcier. 



Bill longer than the head, slightly arched. Median 

 rectrices very short ; the two outer ones filamentous and 

 shorter than the third. Wings small. Tarsi clothed, feet 

 small. Sexes unlike. 



Habitat, — S. America. 



21. Acestrura mulsanti, Bourc, Ann. Sci. Phys., Lyon, 



1842, t. v., p. 842. 



Ornismya mulsanti, Bourc, Ann. Sic. Phys. Lyon, 1842, t. v., 

 p. 342. 



Mellisuga mulsanti, Gray, Gen. of Birds, vol. i., p. 113. 



Calothorax mulsanti, Bonap., Consp., Gen. Av., 1850, vol. i., 

 p. 85. 



Lucifer mulsanti, Reich, Troch. Enum., 1855, p. 10. 



Chœtocercus mulsanti, Cab and Heine, Mus. Hein., 1860, p. 60. 



Mulsant s Wood star, Gould, Mon. Troch. Vol. iii., p. 145. 



L Acesture de Mulsant, Muls. Hist. Nat. Ois., m. t. iv., p. 118. 



Habitat. — Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia. 



Male. — Upperside and flanks shining dark grass-green. 

 Throat metallic violet-red. Line behind the eye, chin, 

 breast, abdomen, undertail-coverts, and a tuft behind the 



