Wilson’s Cœligene (Cœligena Wilsoni), John Gould I have little to communicate respecting the bird here figured; it is certainly quite distinct from every other with which we are acquainted, but I doubt not that I have placed it in that genus to which it truly belongs, namely, Cœligena; for, upon comparing it with the well-known species, C. typica and C. purpurea, no structural differences whatever are observable; and the distribution of the colouring is very similar, the only exception being that the throat of this species is luminous; the three birds are in fact intimately allied, and, with the Prunelli, appear to me to constitute a natural group, which does not admit of or require separation; one very peculiar character—the lustrous fringing of the feathers of the back and rump—being common to the whole of them, and not observable in any others of the Trochilidæ yet discovered. 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."