190 MR. H. WHITELY ON PERUVIAN HUMMING-BIRDS. [Feb. 4, 



one has reached the spot where it is feeding, it is off to other flowers 

 three or four hundred yards away. It has a curious appearance 

 whilst flying, with the long bill so disproportionate to the size of the 

 body. I should say it would be a most formidable antagonist for 

 the other species of Humming-birds ; at all events they all clear out 

 of its way, and none dare attack it. I believe, but am not certain, 

 that it breeds here. 



Length 8g in., bill 3£ in., wing 3 in., tail 2g in. 



Sides of chest luminous. 



11. Ramphomicron microrhynchum (Boiss.). 



This bird was shot feeding off a small white flower. The only 

 specimen seen. Bill black ; eye, legs, toes, and claws black. Stomach 

 contained remains of very minute insects. 



Length 3f in., wing 2 in., bill § in., tail forked If in. Crown 

 of head and whole of back to tips of upper tail-coverts rich purple ; 



tail black ; gorget golden ; breast and abdomen green. 



i 



12. Pterophanes temminckii. 



This bird is by no means scarce here, and I have shot young birds, 

 which is a proof that it is not a chance visitor. The musky smell 

 which Mr. Gould remarks about with regard to the skins of this 

 bird, I have also noticed, and it is much stronger whilst the bird is 

 in the flesh. Its flight is very similar to that of Patagona gi'jas ; 

 and when feeding the wings are moved very slowly and the beautiful 

 blue colouring of them is seen to great advantage. It frequents 

 almost all the flowering plants ; and I have also seen it at an elevation 

 of from 13,000 to 14,000 feet, where there are no flowers, sweeping 

 along the coarse grass in search of the insects to be found there. 



Length 6J in., bill 1 \ in., wing 4| in., tail 3 in. 



The tips of the feathers on the abdomen are also luminous. 



I once saw one of these birds attack a large Hawk, that came near 

 its feeding-ground, and drive it away. 



13. Agl^actis caumatonota, and 



14. Agl^actis castelnaudi. 



Of the genus Aglaactts I have got, I think, two species. In one 

 the male and female are adorned with a tuft of white feathers on the 

 breast ; and in the other* the tuft of feathers is reddish brown. They 

 are among the most fearless of the Humming-birds, as I have sat 

 down near one which was perched on a dry twig, and watched it for 

 a long time, without its taking the least notice of me. In habits 

 these species more resemble a Flycatcher than a Humming-bird, as 

 they perch on a dead branch and then take flight in the air, returning 

 to the same branch. They perch a long time without moving, some- 

 times for half an hour at a time. The wings are moved very slowly 

 whilst they are hovering over a flower ; and more frequently they 

 cling on to a bush with their powerful feet, searching the leaves and 

 flowers for insects. They breed here, as most of my specimens are 

 young males. 



* A. cavmatonota, Gould. 



