Genus Erythronota Gould

The Erythronotæ are nearly allied to the Pyrrhophænæ. As in that genus, the sexes are alike in their colouring. The species are much more circumscribed in their habitat, being almost confined to Venezuela and the countries immediately adjoining.

The oldest-known species, which I have called antiqua, appears to be subject to much variation in its colour and markings; but, as I stated in my account of that species, I have questioned the propriety of their separation until we are better acquainted with them.

Generic characters.

Male.—Bill longer than the head, nearly straight or very slightly curved; wings moderately long; tail rather short and slightly forked; tarsi clothed; hind toe rather shorter than the middle one; claws short; throat and chest lively green.

Female.—Similar in colour.

• 352.

  Erythonota antiqua

  Habitat: Trinidad, Tobago, and Venezuela

  Plate 316 Erythonota antiqua Erythronote

  The birds from Tobago are very much larger than those from Trinidad; and some of the specimens from Venezuela have the under tail-coverts wholly chestnut; I should have considered this indicative of another species, had I not found a similar variation in specimens from Trinidad.

  • Cynanthus erythronotus, Jard. Nat. Lib. ee Birds, vol. ii. p. 148.
  • Chlorestes erythronotus, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 4, pl. 799. figs. 4562–63.
  • Hemithylaca erythronota, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 37.
• 353.

  Erythronota Feliciæ

  Habitat: Venezuela

  Plate 317 Erythronota Feliciæ Felicia’s Erythronote

  The O. Feliciæ is admitted by the French Trochilidists to be distinct from O. antiqua, and as such I have kept it; at the same time it is extremely difficult to distinguish one from the other. In size they are as near alike as possible; but the former has a bluer tail, and the back and upper surface destitute of the fiery-red colouring observable in many specimens, but not in all, of the O. antiqua; the under tail-coverts, too, are frequently stained with violet.

  I have a specimen of this bird, presented to me by M. Emile Parzudaki, of Paris, with the name of Emile attached. The bird was killed by him during his visit to South America.

  • Cynanthus erythronotus, Jard. Nat. Lib. ee Birds, vol. ii. p. 148.
  • Chlorestes erythronotus, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 4, pl. 799. figs. 4562–63.
  • Hemithylaca erythronota, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 37.
• 354.

  Erythronota Edwardi

  Habitat: Panama, Costa Rica, and Veragua

  Plate 318 Erythronota Edwardi Wilson’s Erythronote

  I have specimens of this bird killed by Mr. Bridges near David, at an elevation of from 8000 to 10,000 feet, according to the label attached.

  • Chlorestes Edwardsii, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 4, a 698. figs. 4558–60.
  • Hemithylaca Edwardi, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 37, note.
• 355.

  Erythronota niveiventris (Gould)

  Habitat: Panama and Veragua

  Plate 319 Erythronota niveiventris White-breasted Erythronote

  • Chlorestes niveiventris, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 4, bh 700. figs. 4566–67.
  • Hemithylaca niveiventris, Cab. et Hein Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 37.
• 356.

  Erythronota elegans (Gould)

  Habitat: Unknown

  Plate 320 Erythronota? elegans Elegant Erythonote

  This is a very elegant species, and quite distinct from every other known Humming-Bird. In its glittering light-green crown, throat, and chest it looks like a Chlorostilbon; but the form of its tail and some other characters ally it to the Erythronote, with which I have provisionally placed it.