Ecuadorian Racket-tail (Spathura melananthera), John Gould It is to Sir William Jardine, Bart., that the credit is due of giving the first description of this very distinct species of Spathura, which appears to take the place in Ecuador of the more generally known S. Underwood so commonly sent from Bogota in Columbia. 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."