Heliopædica xantusi, Lawrence.
XANTUS’S HUMMING-BIRD.
Amazilia xantusi, Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, April, 1860, 109. Heliopædica xantusi, Gould, Mon. Troch. II, pl. lxv.—Ib. Introd. Troch. 61.—Elliot, Ill. Birds N. Am. XI, plate.—Cooper, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 365. Heliopædica castaneocauda, Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1860, 145 (female).—Elliot, Illust. Birds N. Am. I, xxii.
Heliopædica xantusi.
Sp. Char. Male. Above metallic green; the forehead, cheeks, and chin velvety black (the former with a deep blue gloss). A distinct white stripe from bill, through and behind the eye. Throat and forepart of breast brilliant metallic green; rest of under parts cinnamon-rufous; all the tail-feathers purplish-rufous,—the central glossed with green above, near the edges, the others obscurely edged with blackish along ends. Bill red at base, black at end. Length, 3.50; wing, 2.10; tail, 1.40; exposed portion of bill above, .65. Female. Forehead and all under parts light cinnamon beneath, without any green, or any dusky specks on throat; white cheek-stripe appreciable, but tinged with rufous. Tail as in male, but the central feathers entirely green above, the other, except the outer, with a dusky greenish or purplish spot on each web near the end. Whole upper mandible apparently dusky; base of lower, red.
Hab. Cape St. Lucas.
This well-marked and interesting species we owe to Mr. Xantus, together with many other birds of the west coast. It is sufficiently distinct to require no comparison other than that given under the general head; it can be separated from H. melanotis in all stages of plumage by the rufous tail.
Specimens vary sometimes in the intensity of the rufous shade, and, as stated, it is probable that the forehead, instead of being black, in full plumage is deep blue, as in melanotis.
Habits. This is a new and well-marked species, and although belonging to the North American fauna cannot be claimed for the United States, having thus far been only taken at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, and described by Mr. Lawrence in 1860. Nothing is known as to its specific habits.