FOOD AND HABITS. 59 



HUMILIS (or T. minimus ?) passes by the flowers 

 of the Malay Apple, but eagerly sucks those of 

 the Cashew-tree (Anacardium), while the Mango 

 despises the latter, and is attracted by the 

 former. 



The same writer, commenting on the habits 

 of the POLTTMUS or LONG-TAILED HUMMING- 

 BIED, observes, that this species, a permanent 

 resident in Jamaica, is seen at all seasons, and 

 in all situations. " It loves to frequent the 

 margins of woods and roadsides, where it sucks 

 the blossoms of the trees, occasionally descend- 

 ing to the low shrubs. There is one locality 

 where it is abundant the summit of that range 

 of mountains just behind Bluefield, and known 

 as the Bluefield' s ridge. Behind the peaks, 

 which are visible from the sea, at an elevation of 

 about half a mile, there runs through the dense 

 woods a narrow path, just passable for a horse, 

 overrun with beautiful ferns of many graceful 

 forms, and always damp and cool. No habita- 

 tion occurs within several miles, and no culti- 

 vation, save the isolated provision grounds of 

 the negroes, which are teeming with enormous 

 Arums, and these are hidden from view far up 

 in the thick woods." " The refreshing cool- 

 ness of this road, its unbroken solitude, com- 

 bined with the peculiarity and luxuriance of the 

 vegetation, made it one of my favourite resorts. 

 Not a tree from the thickness of one's wrist up 

 to the giant magnitude of the hoary figs and 



