1834.] HUMMING-BIRDS. 271 



The second species (or P. albicollis) is allied to the first in its 

 general form. It is called Tapacolo, or " cover your poste- 

 rior ;" and well does the shameless little bird deserve its name ; 

 for it carries its tail more than erect, that is, inclined backwards 

 towards its head. It is very common, and frequents the bottoms 

 of hedge-rows, and the bushes scattered over the barren hills, 

 where scarcely another bird can exist. In its general manner of 

 feeding, of quickly hopping out of the thickets and back again, 

 in its desire of concealment, unwillingness to take flight, and ni- 

 dification, it bears a close resemblance to the Turco ; but its ap- 

 pearance is not quite so ridiculous. The Tapacolo is very crafty : 

 when frightened by any person, it will remain motionless at the 

 bottom of a bush, and will then, after a little while, try with 

 much address to crawl away on the opposite side. It is also an 

 active bird, and continually making a noise : these noises are 

 various and strangely odd ; some are like the cooing of doves, 

 others like the bubbling of water, and many defy all similes. 

 The country people say it changes its cry five times in the year 

 according to some change of season, I suppose.* 



Two species of humming-birds are common ; Trochilus forfi- 

 catus is found over a space of 2500 miles on the west coast, from 

 the hot dry country of Lima, to the forests of Tierra del Fuego 

 where it may be seen flitting about in snow-storms. In the 

 wooded island of Chiloe, which has an extremely humid climate, 

 this little bird, skipping from side to side amidst the dripping 

 foliage, is perhaps more abundant than almost any other kind. I 

 opened the stomachs of several specimens, shot in different parts 

 of the continent, and in all, remains of insects were as numerous 

 as in the stomach of a creeper. "When this species migrates in 

 the summer southward, it is replaced by the arrival of another 

 species coming from the north. This second kind (Trochilus 

 gigas) is a very large bird for the delicate family to which it be- 

 longs : when on the wing its appearance is singular. Like others 

 of the genus, it moves from place to place with a rapidity which 



* It is a remarkable fact, that Molina, though describing in detail all the 

 birds and animals of Chile, never once mentions this genus, the species of 

 which are so common, and so remarkable in their habits. Was he at a loss 

 how to classify them, and did he consequently think that silence was the 

 more prudent course ? It is one more instance of the frequency of omissions 

 by authors, on tho9e very subjects where it might have been least expected. 



