Phaethornis hispidus (White-bearded 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 White-bearded Hermit is a distinctive member of the hermit group, recognized by its long decurved bill, olive-brown plumage, and prominent tuft of white feathers forming the “beard beneath its chin. In Gould’s hand-colored lithograph, the bird is shown hovering near tubular blossoms, its curved bill perfectly adapted for nectar feeding. The careful layering of color and metallic pigment captures the faint iridescence of its upper plumage while maintaining the subdued tones that mark the species. The composition, rich with natural foliage, reflects Gould’s talent for merging anatomical accuracy with graceful design.

John Gould’s Monograph of the Trochilidae stands as one of the most ambitious achievements in nineteenth-century ornithological illustration. Produced over nearly forty years, it combined Gould’s extensive field research with the artistry of Henry Constantine Richter and William Hart. The White-bearded Hermit plate exemplifies the harmony of science and art that defines the series—transforming a modest forest species into a timeless study of form, color, and natural elegance.