268 Mr. 0. Salvin on the 



On my first arrival in Guatemala the different species of 

 Humming-birds seemed for some time to be alike in their habits, 

 cries, and in the sound produced by their wings. Further 

 acquaintance, however, and constant attention to their pecu- 

 liarities, soon led me to detect an individuality in the different 

 species, so that, after a time, I was able to name a species at a 

 glance, or, if unseen, with hardly less certainty, from the sound 

 of the wings or cry of the bird. These are differences not to be 

 described accurately in words — at least only in the case of those 

 most apparent. The cry of Lophornis helence is peculiarly shrill, 

 and unlike that of any other species I know, hence its presence 

 may be noticed if only the cry of a passing bird be heard. It 

 feeds among the Salvia that so abound in the mountain-hollows 

 about Coban, and it is said also to show a partiality for the 

 flowers of the Tasisco, when that tree is in full bloom in the 

 month of December. In the month of November females of this 

 species are very rare. Of the specimens I collected there was 

 only one female to seventeen males. 



In the Indian language of Coban, Lophornis helence has, besides 

 the name " Tzunnun," which is applied to all the small Hum- 

 ming-birds, the additional name of '^ Achshukiib." The Spanish 

 name is " El Gorrion Cackudo " — the Horned Humming-bird. 



17. Amazilia corallirostris. 



San Geronimo. December. 



This is a common species about San Geronimo. It seems not 

 to be found in the colder and more elevated portions of the 

 Republic, neither occurring at Duenas nor Coban, but it is very 

 plentifully distributed throughout the Pacific coast-region. It 

 shows a great partiality for the blossoms of the orange and the 

 lime. A nest with two young and the hen bird were brought 

 to me December Gth ; the young were half-grown, and would 

 have flown in about ten days. Finding unfledged birds thus 

 late in the season, one is tempted to apply to Humming-birds 

 the question of the entomologist, " Is Gonepteryx rhamni double- 

 brooded V 



October is the month of all otliers that flowering plants and 

 trees put forth their blossoms. It would seem that the nest- 

 ing season of the Humming-birds is postponed after that of 



