Arinia boucardi

This Humming-bird was discovered by M. Boucard at Puntarenas, in Costa Rica, in May 1877, and specinens of both sexes procured.

It was described by the late M. Mulsant in the same year, and of it Mr. Elliot gives the following account and description:—

But one species is known, brought from Costa Rica by M. Boucard. It is very close to the genus Agyrtria, and were the male alone known, the propriety of separating it from that genus might possibly be questioned; but as the female is quite different in the colouring of her plumage from the male, while the sexes of Agyrtria do not differ in their dress, it would seem to be best to allow the present species a distinct generic rank. This genus connects Agyrtria with Elvira.

Male. Upper surface and flanks bronze-green, darkest on the head. Throat and breast shining bluish green. Abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white. Median pair of rectrices dark bronze-green, next bronze-green with black tip, remaining lateral feather bronze-green at base, rest black, the bronze-green decreasing in extent as it goes towards the external feather. All the lateral feathers edged with white at their tips. Maxilla black; mandible flesh-colour; tip black. Feet black. Total length 3\(\frac{14}{16}\) inches, wing 2, tail 1\(\frac{7}{16}\), culmen \(\frac{11}{16}\).

Female. Differs in having the middle of the throat, breast, and underparts pure white. Median rectrices bronzy green; lateral feathers green at base, then black and tipped with grey. Rest like the male.

[R. B. S.]

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