187 



BLACK-BREASTED HUMMING-BIRD. 

 Trochilus gramineus. LINNJEUS. 

 PLATE XXXII. ADULT MALE. 



Colibri du Mexique, Buffon, Planches Enluminees, DCLXXX. , 

 Black-breasted Humming-bird, Latham's General History, 

 vol. iv. p. 302. Le Haitien, Lesson, Histoire Naturelle des 

 Colibris, pi. xii. male. 



" THE Haitien/' says M. Vieillot, " delights in the 

 vicinity of inhabited places, which it rarely quits as 

 long as the trees and shrubs continue in bloom ; it 

 generally perches on a stray or withered twig, where 

 it expands its tail. I have never heard it sing, but 

 while flying, and especially during the season of incu- 

 bation, it utters a continued cry, which often betrays 

 it before it would otherwise be discovered. This little 

 bird will seldom allow others to approach the tree on 

 which its nest is built. The mocking-bird is obliged to 

 yield to his pursuit ; he continually darts around, and 

 striking his bill at the eyes of the intruder, obliges 

 him to fly." This species is of a strong make, and 

 above the average size of the humming-birds. It will 

 range in the division which includes the well-known T. 

 mango, for which in some states it has been mistaken. 



