616 MR. E. W. WHITE ON BIRDS | JutlC 20, 



The seat of P. gigas is so firm and close to the branch, that 

 its tiny feet are invisible ; the breast is puffed out, and its head in 

 continual motion from one side to the other with a jerky movement. 

 When disturbed it darts off around with a rough jerky flight for a 

 minute or so, and then endeavours to return, but, if still interfered 

 with, seeks a dry twig at the top of some neighbouring tree on 

 which to alight. Its poise when suspended, sipping at the flowers, 

 is heavy and laboured, and the motion of its large wings, although 

 rapid, is perceptible to the eye ; and it never remains more than 

 half a minute in this position, when it retires to a branch to rest 

 for at least five minutes, perching with its head towards the sun and 

 its beak slightly elevated. 



128. Heliomaster furcifer (Shaw). 



2 2 . City of Catamarca, Arg. Rep., August 7, 1880. 



I saw one of these Humming-birds come morning and evening 

 at stated hours to sip the flowers of a " Palo booracko " (C'horisia 

 insignis) which grew in the garden next door, but shot these speci- 

 mens as they were feeding on the " Idiondilla," on the banks of a 

 small stream of running water just without the city. 



129. Leucippus chionogaster (Tsch.). 



cJ. Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep,, Sept. 8, 1880. 



2. " . » " » Sept. 6, 1880. 



On the Idiondilla (which may be termed one of the Humming- 

 bird plants of this region) I shot these specimens. They are very 

 wild and swift in their movements, as indeed are all the Trochilidae, 

 especially in this neighbourhood, and make a very loud hum, in fact 

 louder than any other species of my acquaintance. I observed one 

 dart after a bird at least ten times its own size, that happened to 

 trespass by perching on the same shrub, and pursue it like a Hawk, 

 hovering over and pouncing down upon it, all the while uttering 

 furious cries of anger. 



130. Chlorostilbon splendidus (VieilL). 



S • Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 22, 1880. 



2. „ " . " » Sept. 3, 1880. 



Very abundant round this part towards the end of September, as 

 they evidently breed here, and are found flitting about the blooming 

 Idiondilla in myriads, all the while uttering a beautiful tiny trilling 

 song. The beak during life is of a brilliant red. 



131. PicuMNus sp. inc. 



S. Oran, Salta, Arg, Rep., Nov. 9, 1880. 



Iris sepia. 



No more than one pair of these have I ever met with ; and they 

 were peeking vigorously in their miniature way, and at very small 

 twigs, just like the larger species of this family at the thick 

 trunks. 



