Callipharus nigriventris

The subject of the present article is an inhabitant of Central America, where it is found from Costa Rica to Veragua in the State of Panama.

It was discovered in the former country by Mr. Endrés, who procured the male; but Mr. Arce subsequently found the species on the Cordillera del Chucu in Veragua, and obtained both sexes, the female being described by Mr. Osbert Salvin for the first time in 1870.

The following description of the two sexes is copied from Mr. Elliot’s ‘ Synopsis’:—

Male. Forehead and entire under surface jet-black, occiput and upper surface bronzy green. Four central rectrices purplish black, three lateral ones pure white tipped with brownish black. Wing-coverts bronzy green; secondaries chestnut at their bases, the tips purple. Vent and under tail-coverts white, bill and feet black. Total length 3$\frac{3}{4}$ inches, wing 2, tail 1$\frac{1}{4}$, culmen $\frac{5}{8}$.

Female. Upper surface bronzy green; under surface greyish white, washed on the flanks with green. Four median rectrices dark grass-green, the remainder white. Maxilla and apical half of mandible black, basal half of latter flesh-colour. Total length 3$\frac{1}{2}$ inches, wing 1$\frac{7}{8}$, tail 1$\frac{1}{4}$, culmen $\frac{1}{2}$.

The figures in the Plate, which represent two males and a female of the natural size, have been drawn from specimens lent to us by Messrs. Salvin and Godman.

[R. B. S.]

References

• Eupherusa nigriventris, Lawrence, Proc. Philad. Acad. 1867, p. 232.—Salvin, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1870, p. 210.—Mulsant, Hist. Nat. Oiseaux-Mouches, i. p. 270 (1874).
• Polytmus nigriventris, Gray, Hand-list of Birds, i. p. 1388, no. 1702 (1869).
• Eupherusa (Clotho) nigriventris, Mulsant, Cat. Oiseaux-Mouches, p. 9 (1875).
• Thaumatias nigriventris, Sclater & Salvin, Nomenclator Av. Neotr. p. 92 (1878).
• Callipharus nigriventris, Elliot, Synopsis of the Humming-Birds, p. 211 (1878).—EudesDeslongchamps, Ann. Mus. Caen, i. p. 330 (1880).