The members of this genus (all figured in the work under the generic appellation of Cœligena) bear a general resemblance to the last as regards their size and the lengthened and straight form of their bills; but their style of colouring is very different, and, however much some naturalists may dissent from the idea of colour being regarded as a generic character, I do think that it is of no little importance in this group of birds; for I find that every distinct section or genus is distinguished by some peculiar style of plumage and colouring common to all the species of which it is composed, and not found in the others. Thus the members of the present genus all bear a plumage of a rather dull or sombre character with the exception of the lower part of the back, where it is luminous; but, as is the case with the Aglæactines, this luminous colouring is only to be seen-when viewed from behind. All the known species are found among the Andes, both on the northern and southern sides of the equator.
Lampropygia cœligena
Habitat: New Granada
Plate 255
Cœligena typica
Cœligene
In my account of this species, which is common in the neighbourhood of Bogota, I stated that the Bolivian birds which appeared to be identical with it are much larger in size and darker in colour, and that I thought it probable that they would prove to be distinct and undescribed; I still entertain the same opinion. I therefore take this opportunity of assigning to this southern representative a specific appellation, but:do not consider it necessary to give a figure of it.
Lampropygia Boliviana (Gould)
Habitat: Bolivia
No illustrations
This bird bears a general resemblance to the L. cœligena, but differs in being of a much darker colour on the head and neck, and in having the tail dark olive-brown washed with bronze in lieu of light bronzy-brown; the lower part of the back also is more richly coloured, the crescentic markings of green showing still greater lustre when viewed from behind.
Total length 5\(\frac{1}{2}\) inches; bill 1\(\frac{1}{2}\); wing 3\(\frac{1}{4}\); tail 2\(\frac{1}{8}\); tarsi \(\frac{1}{4}\).
Lampropygia purpurea
Habitat: Popayan
Plate 256
Cœligena purpurea
Purple Cœligene
Lampropygia Prunellei
Habitat: Andes of New Granada. Common in collections from Bogota.
Plate 257
Cœligena Prunelli
Prunelle’s Cœligene
Featuring all 422 illustrated species from John Gould’s A Monograph of the Trochilidæ, or Family of Humming-Birds arranged by color.
Humming-Birds
