Purple Snowcap (Microchera parvirostris), John Gould In this new Snowcap the silky white covering of the crown is wider, longer, and seems to stand out further over the crown, overshadowing the eyes; all the upper surface, from the occiput to the upper tail-coverts, is reddish purple; this colour extends over the shoulders and the chest down to the lower part of the belly; but here the purple is not quite so brilliant. 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."