Spathura rufocaligata

La Paz in Bolivia

This new Humming-bird was procured in Bolivia by Mr. Bridges, who informed me that he found the species rather numerous at Sandillani in the Yungas of La Paz, but had no opportunity of making himself acquainted with its habits, for a knowledge of which, therefore, we must await the researches of some future traveller: there is little doubt, however, that they will prove to be very similar to those of its near allies, the Spathura Underwoodi and S. Peruana.

The male has the throat and forepart of the neck luminous metallic green; the plumage of the body bronzy green; wings brown; tarsi clothed with a thick ruff of rusty red feathers; tail brown, the outer feathers prolonged and narrow, and ending in a broad spatulate tip; bill black.

Total length, 4$\frac{1}{2}$ inches; bill, $\frac{3}{4}$; wing, 1$\frac{3}{4}$; tail, 2$\frac{1}{2}$.

The female has the upper surface and two middle tail-feathers bronzy green, the bronzy hue predominating on the head and the green on the tail-feathers; wings purplish brown; lateral tail-feathers dark blackish brown, the outer one on each side tipped with white, the remainder with a wash of bronzy green at their extremities; under surface white, spotted on the throat, the sides of the neck and flanks with light bronzy green; feathers clothing the tarsi and the under tail-coverts deep buff.

Total length, 3$\frac{1}{4}$ inches; bill, $\frac{5}{8}$; wing, 1$\frac{5}{8}$; tail, 1$\frac{1}{4}$.

The figures represent two males and two females of the natural size.

References

• Trochilus (Ocreatus) rufocaligatus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part XIV. p. 86.
• Trochilus Addæ, Bourc. Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 312.
• Mellisuga rufocaligata, Gray and Mitch., Gen. of Birds, Mellhisuga, sp. 59.