Phaethornis amaura (Streak-throated Hermit).

From A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-Birds, 6 vols., large folio. Published in London, 1849–1887. Printed by Hullmandel and Walter from drawings by J. Gould, H. C. Richter, and William Hart, lithographed by the artists.

The Streak-throated Hermit is a slender, soft-plumed hummingbird found in the shaded forests of Central and South America. Its subdued brown and olive plumage, pale streaked throat, and gently decurved bill reflect the understated beauty of the hermit group. In Gould’s hand-colored lithograph, the bird is shown feeding among pendulous blossoms, its delicate form balanced within a composition of tropical foliage. Metallic pigments subtly enhance the sheen of its feathers, lending the print both depth and quiet vitality while preserving the natural restraint characteristic of this species.

John Gould’s Monograph of the Trochilidae remains one of the most impressive artistic and scientific undertakings of the nineteenth century. Created over nearly four decades, it united Gould’s precise field observations with the exceptional craftsmanship of Henry Constantine Richter and William Hart. The Streak-throated Hermit plate reflects their shared devotion to accuracy and beauty, portraying one of nature’s most elusive hummingbirds with fidelity, elegance, and an enduring sense of life.