10 TROCHILID^E. 



further south, probably into mid-Patagonia. Like most H umming-birds 

 it is an exquisitely beautiful little creature, in its glittering green 

 mantle; and in its aerial life and swift motions a miracle of energy. 

 To those who have seen the Humming-bird in a state of nature all 

 descriptions of its appearance and movements must seem idle. In the 

 life-habits of the Trochilidae there is a singular monotony ; and the 

 Glittering Humming-bird differs little in its customs from other species 

 that have been described. It is extremely pugnacious; the males 

 meet to fight in the air, and rapidly ascend, revolving round each 

 other, until when at a considerable height they suddenly separate and 

 dart off in opposite directions. Occasionally two or three are seen 

 flashing by, pursuing each other, with such velocity that even the 

 Swift's flight, which is said to cover four hundred miles an hour, seems 

 slow in comparison. This species also possesses the habit of darting 

 towards a person and hovering bee-like for some time close to his face. 

 It also flies frequently into a house, at window or door, but does not, 

 like birds of other kinds, become confused on such occasions, and is 

 much too lively to allow its retreat to be cut off. It feeds a great deal 

 on minute spiders, and is fond of exploring the surfaces of mud and 

 brick walls, where it is seen deftly inserting its slender crimson bill 

 into the small spider-holes in search of prey. The nest, like that of 

 most humming-birds, is a small, beautifully-made structure, composed 

 of a variety of materials held closely together with spiders' webs, and is 

 placed on a branch, or in a fork, or else suspended from slender 

 drooping vines or twigs. Sometimes the nest is suspended to the 

 thatch overhanging the eaves of a cottage, for except where persecuted 

 the bird is quite fearless of man's presence. The eggs are two, and 

 white. 



Besides the little creaking chirp uttered at short intervals while flying 

 or hovering, this species has a set song, composed of five or six 

 monotonous squeaking notes, uttered in rapid succession when the 

 bird is perched. 



Dr. Burmeister met with this Humming-bird at Mendoza, Parana, 

 and Tucuman, and says it is the commonest species in La Plata, and 

 easily recognizable by its red bill. 



Mr. Durnford also pronounces this species to be the commonest 

 Humming-bird in the province of Buenos Ayres, and " abundant in 

 the summer." It is not usual to meet with them in the winter ; but 

 Durnford saw a single specimen in a sheltered garden in the beginning 

 of June. This Humming-bird feeds principally, he tells us, on the 

 flowers of the Ceiba-tree, but not exclusively on honey, for the stomach 

 of a specimen examined contained fragments of minute Coleoptera. 



