Vol.Xin Brewster and Chapman on Trinidad Birds. 207 



1895 J 



female of this forest-living species so far departed from its 

 normal habit as to leave the woods and perch on the topmost 

 branch of a bois immortel which shaded the palm-thatch beneath 

 which we prepared specimens - an offered sacrifice we were not 



slow to accept. , , •. r ^1 „ 



The observations^ of Mr. Chapman on the song-habit of the 

 'Rachette' Hummingbird {Pygmornis longuemareus) were con- 

 firmed by our discovery of a locality to which the birds evi- 

 dently came to sing, and Mr. Carr directed us to two resorts 

 regularly frequented by Phamornis guyi for the same purpose 

 Both were in the forest where the trees were rather small and 

 slender and plentifully undergrown with roseau palms. One 

 locality was not far from the house. We visited or passed it 

 many times always hearing from one to six birds singing within 

 an area one hundred feet square. Each bird seemed to have its 

 own particular perch which we would find occupied day after day. 

 The song of this species is louder and has more character than 

 that of Pygmornis. It is an unmusical yep-yep-yep uttered very 

 rapidly, and, when the bird is undisturbed, continued for several 

 JnutL without break or pause. They sit erect but in an easy 

 attitude with the points of the wings drooping be ow the tail 

 With every 7^/ the long bill is thrown nearly straight up and the 

 mouth slightly opened while the red lower mandible shows con- 

 spicuously and the body is twitched convulsively Each note is 

 accompanied by one or two vertical vibrations of the tail. Rarely, 

 and apparently when under the influence of some excitement the 

 vibrations are increased in length, force and rapidity until a 

 maximum of motion is attained. Then there is a second s pause 

 the tail-feathers are spread to the fullest extent and pointed 

 forward over the back until the tips of the long central feathers 

 nearly touch the back of the head. The effect, as may be 

 imagined, is most striking, the birds suggesting diminutive 



'^"MoTe'Tless frequently a rival would approach, buzzing loudly, 



.vhen the calUng bird darted recklessly at the trespasser, and the 



wo birds dashed wildly through the forest, one apparently m 



