430 CORACIIFORMES CHAP. 



Darwin l writes of Patagona gigas : " Like others of the 

 genus, it moves from place to place, with a rapidity which may 

 be compared to that of SyrpJius among diptera and Sphinx 

 [especially the Humming-bird Sphinx (Macroglossa stellatarum) ] 

 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." This slower movement has been observed 

 also in Pterophanes temmincki, and no doubt in other large forms, 

 of which the aerial course is perhaps more zigzag and jerky 

 than elsewhere. Certain species habitually sit with puffed out 

 plumage and somewhat elevated bills ; others soar, or skim the 

 surface of water like Bats ; the tail-feathers, moreover, are often 

 moved sideways or twisted during flight, especially when they are 

 elongated or spatulate ; and Loddigesia constantly extends them 

 perpendicularly to the body, if not further forward, though the 

 racquet-tips may at other times be almost in contact. 



The food consists almost entirely of insects, while the aliment- 

 ary canal shews but little trace of honey, which the birds never- 

 theless seem to enjoy, when swallowed with the creatures which 

 it allures ; and as these appear on the lips of flowers chiefly after 

 wet, or in the morning and evening, their feathered foes are 

 naturally then most active. Cacti, alstroemeriae, orchids, and 

 composites seem particularly attractive, and tubular blossoms 

 to the long-billed species especially. Those with shorter beaks, 

 being unable to penetrate the deepest tubes, are said to pierce 

 the hinder portions, while it is asserted that those with extremely 

 curved mandibles even make use of a twofold process, first inserting 

 the tips, and then raising themselves slightly so as to penetrate the 

 recesses. Rhamphodon, Phaethornis, Eutoxeres, and Chlorostillon 

 examine the crevices of trees and walls for spiders, which they 

 habitually eat; while the "Hermits," balanced in the air, pass the bill 

 carefully though quickly over the lower surface of leaves in search 

 of insect-diet. Oreotrochilus pichincha has been observed clinging 

 to rocks and feeding upon the ground; Aithurus, Petasophora, Pyg- 

 mornis,Lampornis,Patagona'dnd other species, take up posts on dead 

 branches or twigs, thence darting upon their prey in Fly-catcher- 

 like style. Gould once managed to reach the shores of England 

 with two examples, kept alive on sweetened water and yolk of egg. 



1 Zool. Voy. Beagle, iii. 1841, p. 112. 



