322 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



TROCHILID^I, 



or genuine Humming-birds of the New Continent. The leading divisions of this 

 superb family we took occasion to characterize, some years ago, in another work. 

 A better acquaintance with the theory of variation, of which at that period, 

 indeed, we were totally ignorant, has taken from us all confidence in the accu- 

 racy of the minor types which we then ventured to name ; we still, however, 

 believe that the primary groups succeed each other in the following series : — 



Genera. 



1. f Bill narrow and very straight in its entire length ; 1 



_ .• ., I .. . r , i i -irochilus, Linn. 



Typical group. [ tail moderate, forked. J 



2. f Bill slightly curved ; tail lengthened, much longer 1 

 •! , , . iiirii i Cynanthus, bw. 



. [ than the wings, and deeply forked. J * 



Sub-typical group 



3. 

 Aberrant group. 



Bill falcated ; tail lengthened,, cuneated. Phadthornis, Sw. 



Bill considerably depressed, and enlarged at the 1 Campylopterus, 



base ; nostrils tumid. Sw. 



Bill curved, culmen convex ; tail very broad, the 1 T . 



( Lampornis, b»w. 

 feathers abruptly truncated. J 



The only doubt we are inclined to throw upon this table (which is merely an 

 exposition of the typical distinctions of the five genera) relates to Campylopterus, 

 a name we originally confined to the broad-shafted Humming-birds. We suspect, 

 however, that the typical form is represented by the Trochilus cyaneus and such 

 other species as have a very depressed bill, considerably dilated at its base, where 

 it is generally red : in this division the tail is particularly variable. Unluckily, 

 from having broken up our own collection of Trochilidce, we cannot, at this 

 moment, investigate the subject more closely. But the truth is, that the accuracy 

 of the above table can only be demonstrated when the circular series of each 

 genus has been made out*. Until this is done, we shall merely intimate our 

 belief that both the species now to be described belong to the typical genus, 

 and that the second is decidedly an aberrant form, representing the scansorial 

 Creepers (Certhiadw). — Sw. 



* However deficient we are in this country in materials for such inquiries, the British ornithologist who desires to 

 become acquainted with this family has no need of visiting foreign museums. In the unrivalled collection of our 

 valued friend, George Loddiges, Esq., he will see an assemblage of these gems ; which, in point of number, perfection, 

 and splendour, cannot be equalled, much less surpassed, by those of any museum, public or private, in the world. We 

 have long meditated, with the valuable assistance of our enthusiastic friend, a complete revision of this family, and we 

 trust that this intention will not be long delayed. — Sw. 



