Agyrtira apicalis

Mr. Elliot places this bird in close proximity to A. fluviatilis, from which it differs in the colour of the tail and throat.

The latter is golden green as well as the breast, and the centre tail-feathers are green broadly tipped with blue-black, the remainder being black tipped with white. The same gentleman has added A. terpna of Heine as a synonym of A. apicalis, as he could not find any real points of specific distinction in the description of the latter species.

Mr. Gould describes the species as follows:—

Of about the same size as A. fluviatilis, with an equally lengthened bill; the upper surface golden green; the centre of the abdomen and under tail-coyerts pure white; the four outer tail-feathers steel-black, margined with pure white at the tips. Total length 3\(\frac{1}{2}\) inches, bill 1, wing 2\(\frac{1}{8}\), tail 1\(\frac{1}{4}\).

[R. B. S.]

References