SOME THREATENED EXOTIC SPECIES 287 



confined to various islands. Thus fifteen or more 

 species are found in the West Indies ; two species 

 are confined to the Bahamas ; Juan Fernandez is 

 the island home of two more ; whilst Masafuera 

 and Tres Marias each have their own indigenous 

 species. In this extreme localisation lies the chief 

 danger of extermination. We know that vast 

 numbers of Humming Birds are killed annually for 

 the plume trade, and there is a strong probability 

 that some of these island species, and others 

 dwelling in the most accessible continental areas, 

 may be extirpated. Fortunately, some of the 

 fairest of these feathered gems dwell in remote 

 localities, and where they are scarcely likely to fall 

 victims to the craze for plumes; but others are 

 more readily obtained, and these species seem likely 

 to suffer. We must, however, bear in mind that 

 Humming Birds in most districts they frequent are 

 exceptionally abundant. Most observers agree on 

 this, some saying they are as numerous as bees 

 about flowers. Scores of individuals may often be 

 seen flitting about a single tree. Mr. Henshaw tells 

 us that in a single clump of Scrophularia he 

 counted eighteen Humming Birds " all within reach 

 of an ordinary fishing-rod " ; whilst at Apache, in 

 Arizona, he saw two species "literally by hundreds, 



