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. 
3. Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 25, 1880. 
I only obtained one specimen, as it was feeding on the flowers of 
the Idiondilla (Cestrum pseudoguina). 
126. SPARGANURA SAPPHO (Less. ). 
3 Q. City of Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Aug. 12, 1880. 
Tris 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, the 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 in 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. 
127. Paracona eiGcas (Vieill.). 
3. Fuerte de Andalgala, Catamarca, Arg. Rep., Sept. 15, 1880. 
; " 2 a P 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 sip the sweets. The 
large humble-bees, however, cause them some trouble, as they likewise 
l:: ted to sipping nectar ; these the P. gigas 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 on muleback I was 
enabled to ride close up to and observe them. 
