thaumastura

[Gr. thaumastos =wonderful, and our a =a tail.] Ornith.: Shear tail; a genus of Trochil ide, with two species, from the humid districts of Peru. The genus is distinguished by the peculiarly-shaped tail, the feathers of which are pointed, the middle ones being greatly elongate. Several pairs are generally met with together. The males are extremely pugnacious, driving off every other kind of humming-bird which ventures to enter their territory. The plumage of the sexes is different, the female being much duller in color, *thâu-ma-tol-a-try, subst . [Gr. thauma (gen it. thaumatos )= a wonder, and latreia =worship.] Exce ive admiration for what is wonderful; admiration of what is miraculous.