Eriocnemis sapphiropygia

The present bird is also one of the white-booted species of Eriocnemis, and has the under tail-coverts blue; it is distinguished further by its dark blue tail, and the coppery reflections on the upper surface.

It was discovered by Mr. Jelski in Central Peru, at Maraynioc, in June and August 1871, and was described by Dr. Taczanowski, who says that it is nearly allied to my E. cupreiventris, but, besides other differences of coloration, it has a longer and stouter Dill, a shorter and less forked tail, and considerably longer tail-feathers.

I copy the following description from Mr. Elliot’s ‘Synopsis of the Humming-Birds:’—

Adult. Upper parts bronzy green, passing into pure green on the rump and upper tail-coverts; wings purplish black; under surface glittering green; under tail-coverts shining sapphire-blue; tarsal tufts white; tail dark blue; bill black. Total length 4\(\frac{1}{4}\) inches, wing 2\(\frac{5}{8}\), tail 2, bill along the gape 1\(\frac{1}{8}\).

The Plate represents male and female birds kindly lent to me by Dr. Taczanowski of Warsaw.

References

More hummingbirds in the genus Eriocnemis

• Eriocnemis cupreiventris Coppery-bellied Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis simplex Olive-coloured Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Isaacsoni Long-billed Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Luciani Buquet’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Mosquera Mosquera’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis vestita Glowing Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis nigrivestis Black-bested Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Godini Godin’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis D’Orbignyi D’Orbigny’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Derbiana Derby’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Alinæ Metallic Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis squamata Scaly Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis lugens Hoary Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis Aureliæ Aurelia’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis dybowskii Dybowski’s Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis dyselius Black-vented Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis chrysorama Blue-vented Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis assimilis Brown-booted Puff-leg
• Eriocnemis smaragdini­pectus Green-breasted Puff-leg