The Breeding of Humming Birds in Trinidad. 311


THE BREEDING OF HUMMING BIRDS IN

TRINIDAD.


By Collingwood Ingram, M.B.O.U.


In Trinidad Humming Birds appear to have no defined

season for nidification, and from what I gathered during my stay

in the island, nests may be found there at all times of the year.

Gosse, in his “Birds of Jamaica,” also seems to doubt the

existence of a regular breeding season for these birds. It is

certainly a noteworthy fact that I observed a pair nesting near

Port of Spain in December, when the usual breeding season for

other species in Trinidad appears to be more or less similar to

that of Southern Europe, viz.: from about April to June, or even

later.


It was due to the courtesy of Lady Northcote that I was

able to inspect the nest above referred to. Of course it is well

known that during the breeding season certain species of Hum¬

ming Birds frequently attempt to reproduce their kind in the

vicinity of human habitation. However, the site in this case was

a very remarkable one, and calls for a few words of description.

The nest was built on the bracket of a lamp hanging over the

door in the inner porch of Lady Northcote’s charming residence.

The lamp contained a veiy brilliant electric light, which was

frequently turned on at night, when it shone full into the nest,

which was placed only a few inches below the globe. Under

these circumstances it was only natural for Lady^Hortlicote to

show a great interest in the domestic affairs of these confiding

little birds, and throughout their visit she closely observed their

habits. That she might better watch the progress of the family

she ingeniously arranged a mirror over the lamp, and this clearly

reflected the contents of the nest. I am indebted to her for the

following valuable notes which are of interest, as the}" approxi¬

mately show the time occupied in incubation. This appears to

have been extended over an unusually long period, for by the

dates given it must have lasted for at least seventeen days.

Perhaps this may be partially explained by the fact that the birds

were no doubt often frightened from the nest by the frequent use

of the front door. Mr. E. H. Evans in The Ibis{ 1S91, p. 64) gives

twelve and ten days for the two species of Humming Birds



