Illustration not included in supplement volume
Mr. Elliot does not consider that the present bird will prove really distinct from L. gouldi; but I think that the characters which I have given will ultimately be found to be correct, though they may not be very strongly pronounced.
The following is my original account of the species, published in 1871:—
This species has all the characteristics of elegance; indeed a more graceful little creature can scarcely be conceived. It is very nearly allied to L. gouldi and L. gracilis, but differs from both in having a more lengthened, straighter, and greener tail, and is more especially distinguished by having a much longer and stouter bill than either of them. Its native country is supposed to be Peru. The specimen described has been in my possession for a length of time; but I have delayed characterizing it in the hope that other examples might be received.
Crown of the head and all the upper surface golden green; gorget glittering green, round and well defined as in L. gouldi; abdomen mottled green and buff, its lower portion and the under tail-coverts pure buff; wings purplish brown; the eight central-feathers entirely light green, the external one on each side olive, finely powdered and tipped with green, and having the outer web buff for more than half its length from the base. Total length 6\(\frac{1}{2}\) inches, bill \(\frac{9}{16}\), wing 2, tail 5\(\frac{3}{8}\).
Featuring all 422 illustrated species from John Gould’s A Monograph of the Trochilidæ, or Family of Humming-Birds arranged by color.
Humming-Birds
