NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 81 



abundantly, and at all seasons of the year, in the vicinity of Jalapa, Coatepec, 

 Orizaba, and many other places in Mexico ; but Mr. Gould, in his Monograph of 

 Humming Birds, states, that it is ako found in Guatemala, and seems disposed 

 to assign that country as its propeflocality. It is quite possible it nests there 

 also, but the fact that it remains in Mexico all the year round, and as I have often 

 found its nest in the months of April and May, I believe it is most properly to 

 be considered a bird of the country last mentioned. 



This pretty little bird is very familiar and unsuspicious, and allows a person 

 to approach it very near in the woods, and is a constant visitor to the gardens 

 in the towns and cities. Like the fine species mentioned in my first paper, it 

 frequents the Mazapan flowers, around which it may be seen at all hours of the 

 day. 



The nest of this species is lined on the inside with the tule silky floss, which is 

 the case with nearly all the Humming Birds in this part of Mexico. On the 

 outside it is covered with moss from the rocks, in such handsome and ingenious 

 manner that would be very difficult for man to imitate. T^ere are generally 

 two eggs, but on one occasion I found three in one nest. The eggs are white, 

 oblong, rather elongated, and large in proportion to the size of the bird. 



The upper part of the head in this species is of a most brilliant metallic azure 

 color, the upper parts of the body and wing coverts are brown, shaded with 

 bronze green; the tail and its coverts are of the same, but not so bright; the 

 wings are as long as the tail, and of an umber purplish color, the throat is 

 satin-like white, with the sides of a bluish green, or rather feathers of both 

 colors mixed together, very lustrous ; the under part of the body and the feathers 

 of the leg are dull white; the under surface of the wings is bronzed brownish 

 gray ; the under tail coverts are of the same, but less brilliant, and with the 

 edges of each feather lighter, the feet, nails and upper mandible are black, the 

 mandible is about one third black at its point, and flesh color at its base. 



Total length, i\ inches, wing 2, tail \\, bill f inches. The female is of the 

 same size as the male, and the only difference between the two sexes is that the 

 blue of the head and the white of the breast are of not so decided colors in the 

 female, although this difference only occurs at certain seasons of the year. 

 The cranium of the male can be distinguished also from that of the female, 

 being rather larger. 



The Committee to which was referred a communication from Mr. 

 P. B. Du Chaillu, asserting that the Academy is his debtor for a 

 part of the costs of a certain exploration in Africa made by him, 

 reported in substance that Mr. Du Chaillu has no claim whatever on 

 this institution. 



Dr. Carson said : 



Mr. President, I rise to perform the painful duty of announcing the death 

 of our associate, Dr. Edward Hallowell, which took place on the 21st instant, 

 from consumption ; and I feel that in connection with this announcement, it 

 is especially proper from me should come the remarks which will serve to do 

 honor to his memory as a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences. He 

 was not only an intimate friend, but one of long standing, having almost uni- 

 formly been educated together, at first in the Collegiate Department of the 

 University of Pennsylvania, then as students of Medicine in the office of the 

 late Dr. Hewson, and in the Medical Department of the University. 



In early life Dr. Hallowell was remarkable for his studious habits, and pro- 

 ficiency in the branches of his Collegiate Course. He always had a prominent 

 position, and graduated with the highest honors of his class. To the Science 

 of Medicine, which he subsequently pursued with ardor, and in which for 



I860.] 6 



