Thaumastura
in ornithology, the sheartail; a genus of Tr Trochilidæ, 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 genextremely 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. erally met with together. males are