THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE 289 



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 south- 

 ward, 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 body being kept in a nearly vertical 

 position. This action appears to steady and support the bird, 

 between the slow movements of its wings. Although flying 

 from flower to flower in search of food, its stomach generally 

 contained abundant remains of insects, which I suspect are 

 much more the object of its search than honey. The note of 

 this species, like that of nearly the whole family, is extremely 

 shrill. 



VOL. XXIX J HC 



