Racket-tail (Discura longicauda), John Gould It is to be regretted that the inappropriate name of longicaudus must be retained for this elegant little bird; that of platurus, assigned to it by Latham, would be far more applicable; but the law of priority established by naturalists requires that the oldest name should be the one adopted, and I have no alternative but to bow to their decision. 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."