Empress Humming Bird (Eugenia Imperatrix), John Gould On commencing the present Monograph of the Trochilidæ, I felt assured that, much as had been done, and splendid as were the collections in the possession of individuals and museums, more remained to be accomplished for a complete history of this important group of birds, and that the trackless forests and mountain districts of South America would, on exploration, be found to be tenanted by other novelties; and the acquisition of many new species, through the researches of the enterprising travellers who have of late years visited that country, has proved that my conjectures were not illusory. 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."