1882.] FROM THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 615 



it at once penetrates by successive hops into the dense shade. I 

 have never observed its flight. 



125. Oreotrochilus leucopleurus, Gould. 



cJ. Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 25, 1880. 

 I only obtained one specimen, as it was feeding on the flowers of 

 the Idioudilla {Oestrum pseudogitina). 



126. Sparganura sappho (Less.). 



6 2 . City of Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Aug. 12, 1880. 



Iris dark. 



I have met with these Humming-birds scattered, although some- 

 what sparsely, over the upper provinces of the Republic, feeding 

 principally upon Nicotiana glauca, tbe Quichua name for which 

 is " palan-palan." They follow it southwards as it flowers, even 

 as far as Cordoba ; but their true habitat is the Andean region. 

 In Quichua, Humming-birds generally are called " Tuminicos." 

 When these are poised iii front of a flower with wings and tail ex- 

 panded in the full sunshine, they offer the most brilliant feathery 

 picture imaginable; and as they dart off their flight is so speedy 

 that the eye cannot follow. 



J 27. Patagona gigas (Vieill.). 



c?. Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 15, 1880. 

 $•. » » „ ,, Sept. 29, 1880. 



This magnificent bird, which the natives say they have never 

 seen before at Andalgala, was shot on the " palan-palan," the 

 usual plant that it frequents at this season. It appeared here just 

 after a two days' severe snow-storm, so that in all probability it had 

 been driven down hither by it. 



It is exceedingly powerful on the wing, and flutters in front of a 

 flower, sipping the nectar, exactly as the smaller species of this 

 family. They have a most peculiar, zig-zag, jerky flight, which, when 

 making a long detour for any particular spot, becomes undulating. 



They are without doubt partially insect-eaters, as I have not 

 only observed their crops full of flies and small beetles, but have also 

 seen them pursue and catch them in the air, with the motions of a 

 Flycatcher. 



They perch on some bare branch of a plant, which they entirely 

 appropriate, driving off every other bird that dares to approach, and 

 every now and then visit all its flowers to sijj the sweets. The 

 large humble-bees, however, cause them some trouble, as they likewise 

 I: ; ted to sipping nectar ; these the P. g'ujas attacks with all 

 its force, and by fluttering its wings, rushing at, pushing and peck- 

 ing them, succeeds in ridding the spot of their presence. 



The note of this bird is similar to the chirp of a young Sparrow, 

 but much stronger. 



These birds, like animals generally in the Argentine Republic, 

 take no notice of a person mounted, but instantly disappear when 

 a foot-passenger approaches ; so that as I was oii muleback I was 

 enabled to ride close up to and observe them. 



