Spathura Melananthera (Ecuadorian Racket-Tail)
Artist
John Gould
(British, 1804 - 1881)
Date1849-1861
MediumLithograph, hand-colored
DimensionsSheet: 21 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (54.6 x 36.8 cm)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Elise J. Ross
Object number2011.67.3
DescriptionThree Spathura Melananthera (Ecuadorian Racket-Tail) hummingbirds; two males with black spatula tails, one with an all-green body, and the other with a green back and white and green speckled belly; the female has a green back and white and green speckled belly with a white-tipped black tail. Two birds stand on the stem of a Sobralia fragrans orchid with green leaves and white flowers, while the third bird flies nearby. Plate 163 from volume III of "A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Hummingbirds" (London, 1849-1861).
