108 The Naturalist in Nicaragua 
on branches and every now and then to chirp out one or two 
shrill notes. At first I thought these sounds proceeded from 
insects, as they resemble those of crickets; but they are not 
so continuous. After a while I got to know them, and could 
distinguish the notes of the different species. It was not 
until then that I found out how full the woods are of hum- 
ming-birds, for they are most difficult to see when perched 
amongst the branches, and when flying they frequent the 
tops of trees in flower, where they are indistinguishable. I 
have sometimes heard the different chirps of more than 
a dozen individuals, although unable to get a glimpse of one 
of them, as they are mere brown specks on the branches, 
their metallic colours not showing from below, and the 
sound of their chirpings—or rather squeakings—being most 
deceptive as to their direction and distance from the hearer. 
My conclusion, after I got to know their voices in the woods, 
was that the humming-birds around Santo Domingo equalled 
in number all the rest of the birds together, if they did not 
greatly exceed them. Yet one may sometimes ride for hours 
without seeing one. They build their nests on low shrubs— 
often on branches overhanging paths, or on the underside 
of the large leaves of the shrubby palm-trees. They are all 
bold birds, suffering you to approach nearer than any other 
kinds, and often flying up and hovering within two or three 
yards from you. This fearlessness is probably owing to the 
great security from foes that their swiftness of flight ensures 
to them. I have noticed amongst butterflies that the 
swiftest and strongest flyers, such as the Hesperide, also 
allow you to approach near to them, feeling confident that 
they can dart away from any threatened danger—a mis- 
placed confidence, however, so far as the net of the collector 
is concerned. 
At the head of the tramway, near the entrance to the 
San Benito mine, we planted about three acres of the banks 
of the valley with grass. In clearing away the fallen logs 
and brushwoods, many beetles, scorpions, and centipedes 
were brought to light. Amongst the last was a curious 
species belonging to the sucking division of the Myriapods 
(Sugantia, of Brandt), which had a singular method of secur- 
ing its prey. It is about three inches long, and sluggish in its 
movements; but from its tubular mouth it is able to discharge 
