March 1828. HUMMING-BIRDS. 127 
Winter’s-bark trees were two feet in diameter. The veronica (I 
believe V. decussata) grows in the sheltered parts to the height 
of twenty feet, with a stem six inches in diameter. It was 
found too on the windward side of the island in abundance, 
and of large size, rooted in the very wash of the sea-beach, 
and exposed to the full force of the cold winds and hail-storms, 
which rush down the wide western reach of the Strait. 
The fuchsia also grows toa large size; but it is a more 
delicate plant than the veronica, and thrives only in sheltered 
places. Many were observed six inches in diameter; the stems 
of the two last plants were used by us, during our stay, for 
fuel. 
The day after our arrival, the gale subsided, and the weather 
became very fine indeed. The stillness of the air may be 
imagined, when the chirping of humming-birds, and buzzing 
of large bees, were heard’at a considerable distance. A hum- 
ming-bird had been seen at Port Gallant last year, and was 
brought to me by Captain Stokes, since which none had been 
noticed. Here, however, we saw, and procured several; but 
of only one species.* It is the same as that found on the western 
coast, as high as Lima ; so that it has a range of 41° of latitude, 
the southern limit being 533°, if not farther south. 
The islets, at the north part of the port, were well stocked 
with geese and other birds, which supplied our people with 
fresh meals. The steamer duck we found difficult to shoot, 
from its excessive wariness, and power of remaining, for a great 
length of time, under water. 
Our fine weather lasted but a few hours, and (no unusual 
occurrence in these regions) was succeeded by a week’s rain 
and wind, during which we were confined to the small space 
* The specimen that was found at Port Gallant was sent by me to Mr. 
Vigors, who considering it, although well known to ornithologists, as 
never having yet been named, describes it in the Zoological Journal (vol. 
iil. p. 432, Aug. 1827), as Mellisuga Kingii. Shortly afterwards M. Lesson 
published it in his Manuel d’Ornithologie (vol. ii. p. 80.), as Ornismya 
sephaniodes, as a discovery belonging to La Coquille’s voyage, in the 
illustrations of which it is figured at plate31. I rather think, however, 
that it is Molina’s Trochilus galeritus.—(Molina, i. 275.). 
