Giant Humming Bird (Patagona gigas), John Gould The figures on the accompanying Plate give a faithful representation, the size of life, of this the largest of the Humming Birds, which has been truly designated as the giant of its family, for by no other species is it approached in size. 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."