On some Typical Specimens of the Trochilidse. 261 
determination. Since that date a zealous investigation of the 
avifauna by observers in New Zealand has resulted in the ac¬ 
quisition of further specimens of this very handsome bird. 
XXIX.— Remarks on some Typical Specimens of the Trochi- 
lidse, with a Description of one new Genus. By D. G. 
Elliot, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 
Having lately received from the Vienna Museum,, through 
the kindness of Herr von Pelzeln, several of his types of 
various species of the Trochilidse for examination, I thought 
it would interest those ornithologists who pay especial atten¬ 
tion to those beautiful birds, if I should place on record the 
results of my investigation, both as regards the specific value 
of these specimens, and their proper place in the family. 
The first I shall refer to has been described by Herr von 
Pelzeln in his f Ornith. Brasil/ p. 57, as Thalurania ioleema. 
In our article on this genus, published in f The Ibis 9 for 1873, 
p. 361, Mr. Salvin and I placed this bird among those species 
which we had not seen, and of whose specific value we could 
therefore give no opinion. Having now received the type, 
I find it has nothing whatever to do with Thalurania , but 
more properly should be placed in a new genus, having its 
nearest ally in Smaragdochrysis. I therefore propose for this 
bird the generic term of 
Ptochoptera. 
Bill moderately long, straight, sharply pointed. Wings 
extremely short, a little over one third the entire length of 
the bird. Tail long, deeply forked, feathers narrow, outer 
ones curving slightly inwards. 
The extremely short and feeble wing, in comparison with 
the size of the bird, is remarkable. The species may be briefly 
described as follows :— 
Ptochoptera iol^ema. 
Top of head and nape dull dark green, entire upper parts 
grass-green, only slightly metallic. The tail-coverts are 
