THE HUMMING BIRDS 1793 



its owner to extract insects from elongated tubular flowers. In some parts of Peru, 

 visited by the Polish travelers, Jelski and Stolzmann, the swordbill was by no 

 means common, although tubular flowers were met with in abundance, and the bird 

 need fear no rivals, since no others, of its kindred could probe these long tubes. 

 Jelski states that he found the species frequenting a Jacksonia with a long red co- 

 rolla; the bird hovering for a moment before the flower; inserting its beak rapidly, 

 and then withdrawing two or three inches, when it again shot the bill into the 

 same flower, this manoeuvre being repeated many times on the same blossom. The 

 bird is also said sometimes to pierce the side of the flower with its lance-like bill to 

 get at the honey within. According to Mr. Salvin, the female has a longer bill than 

 the male, this organ reaching a length of seven inches in the hen bird, whose colors 

 are a little less brilliant than those of her mate. 



A long straight beak, a forked tail nearly uniform in color, without 

 Rivoli Hum- . . . , , .... 



D . , any white in it, and a brilliant coloration to wit, a body of bronzy 

 ming Bird * J 



green, a crown of rich metallic violet, a throat of glittering green, and 

 an under surface changing with the light from velvety black to green are the 

 characteristics distinguishing the single species of the genus Eiigenes, called after 

 the Due de Rivoli, first found in the highlands of Guatemala, and extending north- 

 ward to Mexico and to Southern Arizona. In the first-named country this bird 

 was seen by Mr. Salvin, who writes " that it is a most pugnacious bird. Many a 

 time have I thought to secure a fine male, which I had perhaps been following from 

 tree to tree, and had at last seen quietly perched on a leafless twig, when my deadly 

 intention has been frustrated by one less so in fact, but to all appearances equally 

 so in will. Another humming bird rushes in, knocks the one I covet off his perch, 

 and the two go fighting and screaming away at a pace hardly to be followed by the 

 eye. Another time this flying fight is sustained in mid air, the belligerents mount- 

 ing higher and higher till the one worsted in battle darts away seeking shelter, fol- 

 lowed by the victor, who never relinquishes the pursuit till the vanquished, by 

 doubling and hiding, succeeds in making his escape. These fierce raids are not 

 waged alone between members of the same species. Eugenes fulgens attacks with 

 equal ferocity Amazilia dumerili, and, animated by no high-souled generosity, 

 scruples not to tilt with the little Trochilus colubris. I know of hardly any species 

 which shows itself more brilliantly than this on the wing, yet it is not to the mid- 

 day sun that it exhibits its splendor. When the southerly winds bring clouds and 

 driving mists between the volcanoes of Agua and Fuego, and all is as in a Novem- 

 ber fog in England, except that the yellow element is wanting, then it is that 

 Eugenes fulgens appears in numbers; Amazilia devillei, instead of a few scattered 

 birds, is to be seen in every tree, and Trochilus colubris in great abundance. Such 

 animation awakes in humming-bird life as would hardly be credited by one who had 

 passed the same spot an hour or two before, and the flying to and fro, the humming 

 of wings, momentary and prolonged combats, and the incessant battle cries seem 

 almost enough to turn the head of a lover of these things. ' ' The nesting of this 

 species in Arizona is described by Mr. Poling, who relates that he was resting under 

 a pine tree, when he heard the noise of a humming bird's wing close to his head, 

 and on looking up he found a female Rivoli humming bird making perpendicular 



