Gould’s Coquette (Lophornis Gouldi), John Gould If, in the course of my ornithological labours, I have seldom named new birds after individuals, it is not that I think there are not many living naturalists worthy of such an honour, but because I consider the practice an objectionable one; my opinion being that specific appellations should always express some peculiarity pertaining to the species to which they are applied: entertaining then this view of the subject, I must say, that, although fully sensible of the compliment paid me by M. Lesson, in naming the present bird after myself, I should have been better pleased if some more appropriate appellation had been given to such a beautiful species; a species, moreover, which is so rare in the collections of Europe, that few of them contain examples. 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."