Bogota Train-bearer, John Gould by Hummingbirds

Bogota Train-bearer (Lesbia Gouldi), John Gould At the scientific meeting of the Zoological Society of London held on the 10th of January, 1832, Mr. Loddiges brought before the notice of the members present, a series of Humming Birds, which he considered to be new to science, one of which—the bird here represented—he was pleased to dedicate to myself, calling it Trochilus Gouldii subsequently it was characterized by M. Lesson as Ornismya sylphia, a name which I would gladly retain, did not the tacit understanding which now prevails among naturalists, that the appellation first given should be the one adopted, preclude me from so doing; for although fully appreciating the kindness of my late friend, I would rather that a more appropriate designation had been given to it, and regret that the law above referred to will not allow me to employ that of sylphia, which would have been singularly applicable, inasmuch as the form of the bird is exceedingly elegant, and its actions, according to report, are light and sylph-like. 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."