燕尾刀翅蜂鸟·Campylopterus hyperythrus

The Roraima Mountains, in the interior of British Guiana

We are indebted to the researches of the Chevalier Schomburgk for the discovery of this new species of Campylopterus, of which the single specimen he procured—an adult male—now graces the collection of the Museum at Berlin; and I would here beg to record my thanks to Dr. Lichtenstein, the Director of that Institution, for his kindness in permitting this rare bird to be removed to London, for the purpose of its being described and figured in the present work.

It was discovered on the Roraima Mountains, in the interior of Guiana, at an elevation of 6000 feet above the level of the sea, where it was busily engaged in procuring its food among the flowering bushes of Mimosa, and other plants of that region. It is a stout thick-set species, with a much shorter bill and wings than the Campylopterus rufus; has the colouring of the under surface of a much darker hue than in that species; the four central tail-feathers more golden, and the three lateral feathers on each side uniform rufous, without a trace of the black bar so conspicuous in its near ally.

Head, upper surface, and wing-coverts bronzy green; four central tail-feathers golden bronze, both on their upper and under surface; three lateral feathers on each side uniform rufous; wings purplish brown; all the under surface dark rust-red; bill black, except the basal half of the under mandible, which is fleshy brown; feet dark brown.

The figures are of the natural size, on a beautiful Chtoria, copied from an unpublished drawing made in Guiana.

References

• Campylopterus hyperythrus, Cabanis in Rich. Schomb. Reisen in Brit. Guiana, 1848, vol. iii. p. 709, No. 202.
• Takui, of the Arekuna Indians, Schomb.