Blue-fronted Lance-Bill (Doryfera Johannæ), John Gould In figuring this rare and truly curious species, I feel assured that I shall give pleasure to those who make the Humming-Birds their particular study, inasmuch as it is not only one of the rarest, but one of the most singular members of the entire group. This illustration has been restored to its original vibrancy by enhancing colors and removing unwanted marks. A monograph of the Trochilidæ, or family of humming-birds was published between 1849 and 1887 by English ornithologist John Gould. This monumental work depicts and describes all the known species of hummingbirds at the time - comprising 418 lithographic plates and information on 537 species."