Descriptions of Three New Species of Humming-'birds. Ill 



in tlie coloring of its upper and under plumage it much resem- 

 bles that species. 



At first I was inclined to consider it a young bird, but Dr. 

 Merritt informed me, that he noticed several others all agreeing 

 in the grey color below, which particularly called his attention 

 to them. He thinks it is in mature plumage. 



I am happy in being able to add a communication from Dr. 

 Merritt, giving some of the habits of this diminutive species, 

 which will be read with interest. 



" The following observations and incidents were connected with the 

 capture of the specimen of Humming-bird recently given to you for 

 scientific examination. 



" As you are aware, I having some years ago given my attention to 

 the varieties of the Humming-bird species in the district of Belen, Pro- 

 vince of Veraguas, New Grenada, and since then having been stationed 

 in the adjoining district of El Mineral in the same province, I was 

 induced to observe if there might not be here varieties of this family, 

 which I had not encountered in Belen, although only fifteen miles 

 distant. 



" In the section of El Mineral there has been a slight attempt at cul- 

 tivation of the soil and planting of fruit-trees, which is not the case at 

 Belen. The Orange, Guama, and Guayava trees are the most numerous, 

 particularly the last named, which is very prolific, bearing nearly through- 

 out the year fruit in all its stages, from the blossom to maturity. Con- 

 sequently the Guayava tree is the favorite resort of the Humming-bird. 



" I often would watch those little creatures feeding and quarrelling 

 around a tree near the door of my palm-leaf hut, and soon my attention 

 was especially attracted to one much smaller than the rest, whose 

 pugnacity and indomitable 'pluck' greatly amused me. Upon closer 

 observation of this diminutive feathered warrior my interest increased, 

 as soon as I became satisfied it was a variety new to me, and not noticed 

 in Belen. 



" I frequently afterwards saw a number of specimens of this variety of 

 Humming-bird, and almost invariably encountered them feeding from 

 the blossoms of the Guayava, and I therefore conclude they are quite 

 local in their habitat." 



