Abstract
Trochilus maria Gosse, 1849, was described from a specimen obtained by Richard Hill from the "mountains of Manchester," most likely the Don Figueroa Mountains in Manchester Parish, Jamaica (Rapkin, 1851). Gosse (1849a: 258) quoted field notes from Hill stating that the specimen "was startled from a nest in which were two young ones, and was obtained by charging some of the blossoms of the mountain-pride (Spathelia simplex) on which it was feeding, with minute doses of strychnine. As soon as it suckedfrom one of the poisoned chalices, it fluttered, and fell dead." Gosse (1849a: 258) provided a detailed plumage description (see below) and summarized, "It is near to Polytmus, but differs from it in the inferior length of its beak, and in the colours of the plumage; but being apparently young, it is impossible to say what the adult condition may prove. I am happy however to fortify my own judgment by that of Mr. Gould, who on my showing it to him decidedly pronounced it new."
NSTL