HUMMING BIRDS 



and back again, in its desire of concealment, unwillingness to 

 take flight, and nidification, it bears a close resemblance to the 

 Turco ; butits appearance is not quite so ridiculous. TheTapacolo 

 is very crafty : when frightened by any person, it will remain 

 motionless at the bottom of a bush, and will then, after a little 

 while, try with much address to crawl away on the opposite side. 

 It is also an active bird, and continually making a noise : these 

 noises are various and strangely odd ; some are like the cooing of 

 •doves, others like the bubbling of water, and many defy all 

 similes. The country people say it changes its cry five times 

 in the year — according to some change of season, I suppose.^ 



Two species of humming-birds are common ; Trochilus 

 forficatus is found over a space of 2500 miles on the west 

 •coast, from the hot dry country of Lima to the forests of 

 Tierra del Fuego — where it may be seen flitting about in 

 snow-storms. In the wooded island of Chiloe, which has an 

 extremely humid climate, this little bird, skipping from side to 

 side amidst the dripping 'foliage, is perhaps more abundant 

 than almost any other kind. I opened the stomachs of several 

 specimens, shot in different parts of the continent, and in all, 

 remains of insects were as numerous as in the stomach of a 

 creeper. When this species migrates in the summer southward, 

 it is replaced by the arrival of another species coming from the 

 north. This second kind (Trochilus gigas) is a very large bird 

 for the delicate family to which it belongs : when on the wing 

 its appearance is singular. Like others of the genus, it moves 

 from place to place with a rapidity which may be compared to 

 that of Syrphus amongst flies, and Sphinx among moths ; but 

 whilst hovering over a flower, it flaps its wings with a very 

 slow and powerful movement, totally different from that 

 vibratory one common to most of the species, which produces 

 the humming noise. I never saw any other bird, where the 

 force of its wings appeared (as in a butterfly) so powerful in 

 proportion to the weight of its body. When hovering by a 

 flower, its tail is constantly expanded and shut like a fan, the 



^ It is a remarkable fact, that Molina, though describing in detail all the birds 

 and animals 9f Chile, never once mentions this genus, the species of which are so 

 common, and so remarkable in their habits. Was he at a loss how to classify them, 

 and did he consequently think tiiat silence was the more prudent course? It is one 

 more instance of the frequency of omissions by authors on those very subjects where 

 it might have been least expected. 

 20 



