90 PASSERES. TROCHILID^. 



It affects the lowlands in preference to tlie moun- 

 tains, and open places rather than the deep woods ; 

 yet it is rarely seen to suck the blossoms of herbs 

 or shrubs, as Humilis does, but like Polytmus 

 hovers around blossoming trees. The bunch of 

 blossom at the summit of the pole-like papaw-tree 

 (Carica papaya) is a favourite resort of this species, 

 particularly at sunset. This habit I observed and 

 took advantage of very soon after my arrival, for 

 there was a fine male papaw tree in profuse bloom 

 close to the door at Bluefields, which the Mango 

 frequented. Wishing to keep these birds in cap- 

 tivity, I watched at the tree one evening with a gauze 

 ring-net in my hand, with which I dashed at one, 

 and though I missed my aim, the attempt so 

 astonished it, that it appeared to have lost its 

 presence of mind, so to speak, flitting hurriedly 

 hither and thither for several seconds before it flew 

 away. The next evening, however, I was more 

 successful. I took my station, and remained quite 

 still, the net being held up close to an inviting 

 bunch of blossom: the Humming-birds came near 

 in their course round the tree, sipped the surround- 

 ing blossoms, eyeing the net ; hung in the air for a 

 moment in front of the fatal cluster without 

 touching it, and then, arrow-like, darted away. 

 At length one, after surveying the net, passed 

 again round the tree ; on approaching it the second 

 time, perceiving the strange object to be still un- 

 moved, he took courage, and began to suck. I 

 quite trembled with hope : in an instant the net 

 was struck, and before I could see anything, 



