Hypuroptila urochriysia

Panama

I possess a single example of this new species of Hypuroptila, which was shot by M. Warszewicz in the neighbourhood of Panama; but the precise locality I have not been able to ascertain.

I have delayed describing this bird until the present moment (May 1861), in the hope of receiving other examples, and of obtaining some information respecting its habits and economy. In point of size it is about equal to the H. Buffoni, to which it also bears a close resemblance in the plumage of the body; its rich golden-bronzy tail will, however, always distinguish it from that and every other known species. I have no doubt that I have placed the bird in the right genus, although the under tail-coverts are not so fully developed in my specimen as in H. Buffoni or H. cæruleogaster; this, however, I conceive to be due to imperfection, occasioned by some of them having been lost in the process of skinning, rather than to any other cause.

I am unable to say if any difference occurs in the colouring of the sexes; but if we may judge from analogy, the female will be found to resemble those of H. Buffoni and H. cæruleogaster.

Head and upper surface dark green, becoming of a bronzy hue on the wing- and tail-coverts; wings purplish brown; tail rich golden bronze both above and beneath; throat and breast grass-green; abdomen bronzy green; thighs, vent, and under tail-coverts pure white; upper mandible black, lower mandible fleshy red with a black tip; tarsi either yellow or flesh-colour.

The figures are of the natural size. The plant is the Pitcairnia undulatifolia.

References

• Hypuroptila urochrysia, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., May 14, 1861.