Linnæus’ Emerald (Thaumatias Linnæi), John Gould We have here a species that has been common in our collections from the earliest period at which the productions of South America became known to us; but it is quite impossible to say under what name it is designated by the older writers; this difficulty has arisen from the absence of illustrations in their works, and from their careless and curt descriptions applying equally well to several species. 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."