Genus Hylocharis Boié

Boié, one of the most philosophical of modern ornithologists, proposed the generic term of Hylocharis for the Trochilus sapphirinus of Gmelin; and I have much pleasure in adopting this name, as well as several others proposed by him. The genus Hyrocharis is composed of three species, all of which are natives of Brazil, to which country they are mainly confined. They are all very pretty, if not showy, species; and one of them is among the oldest-known members of the entire family, as will be seen on reference to the synonyms; brilliant blue is the prevailing colour of the males, while the opposite sex is but plainly attired.

• 385.

  Hylocharis sapphirina

  Habitat: Brazil

  Plate 342 Hylocharis sapphirina Red-throated Sapphire

  This species arrives in the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro in July, and departs again in November. I have also seen specimens from Bahia, Para, and other parts on the Lower Amazon.

  • Trochilus sapphirinus Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn. part ii. p. 570; Licht. Dubl. p. 14.
  • Trochilus latirostris, Wied, Beitr. iv. p. 64.
  • Cynanthus sapphirinus, Jard. Nat. Lib. Humming-Birds, vol. ii. p. 147.
  • Hylocharis latirostris, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 19.
  • Sapphironia sapphirina, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 256.
  • Hylocharis sapphirina, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 7, pl. 769. figs. 4780–82; Burm. Th. Bras. tom. ii. p. 346; Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 43.
• 386.

  Hylocharis lactea

  Habitat: Eastern and Northern Brazil

  Plate 343 Hylocharis lactea Blue-breasted Sapphire

  • Trochilus sapphirinus, Wied, Beitr. iv. p. 61.
  • Trochilus lazulinus, Licht. in Mus. of Berlin.
  • Hylocharis lactea, Cab.et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 43, note; Reich. Troch. Enum. p. 8, pl. 773, figs. 4788–91.
• 387.

  Hylocharis cyanea

  Habitat: Eastern Brazil from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia, where it is stationary.

  Plate 344 Hylocharis cyanea White-throated Sapphire

  • Trochilus azureus, Licht. Dubl. p. 14.
  • Hylocharis cyanea, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 10; Id. Troch. Enum. p. 7, pl. 768. figs. 4777–79; Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 44.
  • Ornismya bicolor, Less. Hist. Nat. des. Ois.-mou. p. 161, pl. 49, 50?? Id. Traité d’Orn. p. 280?? Id. Les Troch. p. 58, pl. 16??