430 TRINIDAD. 



with much reason, what would become of our vegetation, of our- 

 selves, should these insect-destroyers disappear? Everywhere may 

 be perceived one or other of these insectivora in pursuit or seizure 

 of its prey, either on the wing, or on the trunks of trees ; in the 

 coverts of thickets, or in the calices of flowers. Whenever called 

 to witness one of those frequent migrations, from one point to 

 another, so often practised by ants, not only can the Dendrocolaptes 

 be seen following the moving trail, and preying on the eggs and 

 the ants themselves, but even the Tanagra Nigerrima abandons 

 his usual fruits for this more tempting delicacy. Our frugivorous 

 and baccivorous genera are also pretty numerous, and most of 

 them are so fond of insect food, that they unite as occasion offers, 

 with the insectivorous tribes. 



Marsh birds (G-rallatorice) are remarkable, not only for their 

 number, but also for their large size : the kamichi is the size of 

 a turkey ; the heron ( Ardea Americana) stands more than four 

 feet when erect ; the great egret ( Ardea Major) is as tall, and 

 the tantal, of the same height, is larger in body. 



As to the granivora, the number of species is scarce ; and it 

 cannot be otherwise, when the nature of our vegetation is taken 

 into consideration. 



We have eighteen species of humming-birds ; and this large 

 variety of these charming creatures which draw from the calices of 

 flowers, the honey-dew which affords their sustenance, proves that 

 the country is not altogether destitute of flowers. They also share 

 in the prey of the insectivora, and whilst sucking their necta- 

 reous aliment, they swallow together with it, the small insects 

 that have been entangled in the viscous liquor which, by ag- 

 glutinating their wings, has rendered their escape impossible. 

 It is scarcely probable that these insects are found acciden- 

 tally in the digestive tube of humming-birds, as have thought 

 those who would have their sole food to consist of the juice of 

 flowers: on the contrary, they would appear to constitute the 

 essential part of their alimentary diet. On opening the crop of a 

 humming-bird, one is struck with the large quantity of small flies 

 it contains ; they are met with also, and in as great a number, in 

 the stomach of the nestlings that are wholly fed by the parent 

 bird. Besides, are there really in the juice of flowers all the 

 organic and inorganic elements which are indispensable in 

 restoring the losses of organism ? Doubtless the insects must 



