Genus Schistes

Between the genera Heliothrix and Petasophora appears to be the proper situation for my genus Schistes; for to the former it is nearly allied in its wedge-shaped bill, and to the latter in the colouring of the tail. The three species known are all inhabitants of the Andes of New Granada and Ecuador. I have often thought that the white gular mark in Schistes albogularis is characteristic of immaturity; but this is by no means certain.

Generic characters.

Male.—Bill longer than the head, straight, wedge-shaped at the tip; wings moderately long and slightly rounded; tail rounded, the feathers broad; tarsi partially clothed; feet small; hind toe and nail shorter than the middle toe and nail.

• 243.

  Schistes Geoffroyi

  Habitat: The Andes of New Granada

  Plate 218 Schistes Geoffroyi Geoffroy’s Wedge-Bill

  • Schistes Geoffroyi, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 13.
  • Petasophora Geoffroyi, Reichenb. Troch. Enum. p. 11.
  • Schistes Geoffroyi, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil p. 27.
• 244.

  Schistes personata (Gould)

  Habitat: Ecuador

  Plate 219 Schistes personata Masked Wedge-bill

  • Schistes geoffroyii, Sclater in Proc. Zool. Soc., part xxviii. p. 70.
• 245.

  Schistes albigularis (Gould)

  Habitat: The western side of Pichincha, in Ecuador, at an elevation of 6000 feet

  Plate 220 Schistes Albogularis White-throated Wedge-Bill

  Mr. Fraser, who procured this bird at Pallatanga, says, “Bill black; feet dark flesh-colour; gizzard contained insects; found in the underwood.”

  • Schistes albigularis, Reichenb. Aufz. der Col. p. 13.
  • Petasophora albigularis, Id. 'Troch. Enum. p. 11.
  • Schistes albigularis, Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. Theil iii. p. 27, note.