Bearded Mountaineer

SCI Name:  Oreonympha nobilis
Protonym:  Oreonympha nobilis Proc.Zool.Soc.London Pt2 p.295
Taxonomy:  Caprimulgiformes / Trochilidae / Oreonympha
Taxonomy Code:  beamou1
Type Locality:  Tinta, 11,500 feet, Perii.
Author:  Gould
Publish Year:  1869
IUCN Status:  

DEFINITIONS

OREONYMPHA
(Trochilidae; Ϯ Bearded Mountaineer O. nobilis) Gr. ορος oros, ορεος oreos   mountain (i.e. Peruvian Andes); νυμφη numphē  nymph; "Genus OREONYMPHA.  Gen. Char.—Bill longer than the head, stout, and with a somwewhat downward curvature; wings large ans sickle-shaped; tail ample and forked; tarsi clothed nearly to the toes, which are of moderate size; the hinder toe and nail rather shorter than the middle toe and nail.   Notwithstanding the length and stoutness of the bill, I consider this form to be nearly allied both to Oxypogon and Ramphomicron. It has the same kind of brilliant gular streak, a similar laxity of plumage, and soft flexible tail-feathers.    OREONYMPHA NOBILIS.   ...   Remark. — This remarkably large and handsome species was discovered by Mr. H. Whitely at Tinta in Peru, at an elevation of 11,500 feet." (Gould 1869); "Oreonympha Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1869, p. 295. Type, by monotypy, Oreonympha nobilis Gould." (Peters 1945, V, 125).
Var. Oroonympha.

nobilis
L. nobilis  admirable, famous, renowned, noble, high-born, nobleman  < noscere  to acknowledge.
● "44. PSITTACUS.  ...  nobilis.  4. P. macrourus viridis, genis nudis, humeris coccineis. Mus. Ad. Fr. 2. p.  Psittacus viridis, alarum costa superne rubente. Aldr. orn. l. 11. c. 5. Raj. av. 30, 181. Sloan. jam. 2. p. 297.  Psittacus mediae magnitudinis. Will. orn. 112. t. 16.  Habitat in America meridionali." (Linnaeus 1758) (Diopsittaca).
● “The yellow tufts of costal feathers on this beautiful bird, furnished the material for the splendid and costly royal robes, capes, and “lei’s,” or head-dresses of the Hawaiians in former days. The bunches of feathers called hulu... are still prepared and received in payment of a poll tax to the King; they are afterwards made up principally in “lei’s”, or head-bands worn by the ladies, and are beautiful but costly ornaments; but few can afford to wear them. The mantles made of these feathers, were, until lately, considered the principal treasures of the crown; now they are not to be seen; the labour of collecting the feathers and attaching them to a network base – a labour of years – being too great” (Peale 1848) (‡Moho).
● “Its large size and the great development of the feathers of its crown and beard render it a remarkable bird to look at; and the admirable way in which the original skins were prepared justify the large price of twenty pounds which I had to pay for my first specimen” (Gould 1880-1887) (Oreonympha). 
● Adolf Friedrich Albrecht Heinrich Herzog zu Mecklenburg (1873-1969) German naturalist, collector, explorer in tropical Africa 1907-1911, Gov. of Togoland 1912-1914 (Michel Rieser & Laurent Raty in litt.) (Pternistis).

SUBSPECIES

Bearded Mountaineer (Western)
SCI Name: Oreonympha nobilis albolimbata
albolimbata / albolimbatus
L. albus  white; limbatus  edged  < limbus  border, fringe, band.

Bearded Mountaineer (Eastern)
SCI Name: Oreonympha nobilis nobilis
nobilis
L. nobilis  admirable, famous, renowned, noble, high-born, nobleman  < noscere  to acknowledge.
● "44. PSITTACUS.  ...  nobilis.  4. P. macrourus viridis, genis nudis, humeris coccineis. Mus. Ad. Fr. 2. p.  Psittacus viridis, alarum costa superne rubente. Aldr. orn. l. 11. c. 5. Raj. av. 30, 181. Sloan. jam. 2. p. 297.  Psittacus mediae magnitudinis. Will. orn. 112. t. 16.  Habitat in America meridionali." (Linnaeus 1758) (Diopsittaca).
● “The yellow tufts of costal feathers on this beautiful bird, furnished the material for the splendid and costly royal robes, capes, and “lei’s,” or head-dresses of the Hawaiians in former days. The bunches of feathers called hulu... are still prepared and received in payment of a poll tax to the King; they are afterwards made up principally in “lei’s”, or head-bands worn by the ladies, and are beautiful but costly ornaments; but few can afford to wear them. The mantles made of these feathers, were, until lately, considered the principal treasures of the crown; now they are not to be seen; the labour of collecting the feathers and attaching them to a network base – a labour of years – being too great” (Peale 1848) (‡Moho).
● “Its large size and the great development of the feathers of its crown and beard render it a remarkable bird to look at; and the admirable way in which the original skins were prepared justify the large price of twenty pounds which I had to pay for my first specimen” (Gould 1880-1887) (Oreonympha). 
● Adolf Friedrich Albrecht Heinrich Herzog zu Mecklenburg (1873-1969) German naturalist, collector, explorer in tropical Africa 1907-1911, Gov. of Togoland 1912-1914 (Michel Rieser & Laurent Raty in litt.) (Pternistis).