CALLTPERIDIA FURCIFERA. 5 



observed their crops full of flies and small beetles, but have also seen 

 them pursue and catch them in the air, with the motions of a Fly- 

 catcher. 



' ' They perch on some bare branch of a plant, which they entirely 

 appropriate, driving off every other bird that dares to approach, and every 

 now and then visit all its flowers to sip the sweets. The large humble- 

 bees, however, cause them some trouble, as they likewise are addicted 

 to sipping nectar ; these the P. gigas attacks with all its force, and by 

 fluttering its wings, rushing at, pushing and pecking them, succeeds in 

 ridding the spot of their presence. 



"The note of this bird is similar to the chirp of a young Sparrow, but 

 much stronger. 



" These birds, like animals generally in the Argentine Republic, take 

 no notice of a person mounted, but instantly disappear when a foot- 

 passenger approaches ; so that as I was on muleback I was enabled to 

 ride close up to and observe them. 



" The seat of P. gigas is so firm and close to the branch, that its tiny 

 feet are invisible ; the breast is puffed out, and its head in continued 

 motion from one side to the other with a jerky movement. When dis- 

 turbed it darts off around with a rough jerky flight for a minute or so, 

 and then endeavours to return, but, if still interfered with, seeks a dry 

 twig at the i^op of some neighbouring tree on which to alight. Its 

 poise when suspended, sipping at the flowers, is heavy and laboured, 

 and the motion of its large wings, although rapid, is perceptible to the 

 eye ; and it never remains more than half a minute in this position, 

 when it retires to a branch to rest for at least five minutes, perching, 

 with its head towards the sun and its beak slightly elevated." 



235. CALLIPEEJDIA FURCIFERA (Shaw). 

 (ANGELA HUMMING-BIRD.) 



Calliperidia furcifera, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 90; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, 

 p. 184 (Buenos Ayres). Heliomaster furcifer, White, P. Z. S. 1882, 

 p. 616 (Catamarca) ; Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 21 (Entrerios) ; Elliot, Syn. Troch. 

 p. 86. Ornismya angelae, d'Orb. et Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28 (Corrientes). 

 CaUiperidia angelae, Ettiot, Ibis, 1877, p. 137. Heliomaster angelae, 

 Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pi. 263; Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 448; id. 

 P. Z. S. 1865, p. 466; id. Anales Mus. B. A. i. p. 70. Campylopterus 

 inprnatus, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 447 (jr.). 



Description. Crown of head luminous metallic green, changing in some lights 

 to aquamarine, in others to bluish green, and in others to golden green ; all the 



