GLITTERING HUMMING-BIRD 3 
siderable numbers in plantations on the pampas, 
where there are flowers to which it is partial, like 
those of the acacia tree, and its just as sudden de- 
parture when the flowers have fallen, have led me 
to conclude that its migration extends much further 
south, probably into mid-Patagonia. Like most 
Humming-birds it is an exquisitely beautiful little 
creature, in its glittering green mantle; and in its 
aerial life and swift motions a miracle of energy. 
To those who have seen the Humming-bird in a 
state of nature all descriptions of its appearance 
and movements must seem idle. In the life-habits 
of the Trochilide there is a singular monotony ; 
and the Glittering Humming-bird differs little in 
its customs from other species that have been de- 
scribed, It is extremely pugnacious; the males meet 
to fight in the air, and rapidly ascend, revolving 
round each other, until when at a considerable 
height they suddenly separate and dart off in opposite 
directions. Occasionally two or three are seen 
flashing by, pursuing each other, with such velocity 
that even the Swift’s flight, which is said to cover 
four hundred miles an hour, seems slow in com- 
parison. This species also possesses the habit of 
darting towards a person and hovering bee-like for 
some time close to his face. It also flies frequently 
into a house, at window or door, but does not, like 
birds of other kinds, become confused on such 
occasions, and is much too lively to allow its retreat 
to be cut off. It feeds a great deal on minute spiders, 
and is fond of exploring the surfaces of mud and 
