Genus Heliactin Boié

The single species of this genus stands alone for the resplendent and richly coloured tufts of feathers which spring from above and behind the eye.

• 237.

  Heliactin cornuta

  Habitat: Brazil, particularly the district of Minas Geraes

  Plate 212 Heliactin cornuta Sun Gem

  The female of this species, like that sex in the genus Heliothrix, has a longer and more ample tail than her mate,—in which respect the form offers an affinity to the members of the succeeding genus.

  • Heliactinus cornutus, Burm. Th. Bras. tom. ii. p. 356.
  • Trochilus bilobus, Licht. in Mus. of Berlin.
  • Heliactin cornuta, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 64.