THE EDINBURGH 



JOUKNAL OF NATUEAL HISTORY, 



AND OF 



THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES. 



OCTOBER, 1836, 



ZOOLOGY. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE — THE HUMMING BIRDS. 



Fl^' !• H-ivoLi's HusmiKG Bird (Trochilus Rivolii). — This beautiful species 

 is a native of Mexico, and the specimen from which this drawing was made is in the 

 collection of the Duke of Rivoli, who possesses one of the finest private cabinets of birds 

 in Europe. Nothing can exceed the splendid display of colours exhibited by its head 

 and throat, the beryl and ruby vyeing with each other in splendour ; and these are 

 beautifuUv set off by the strong black which surrounds the more brilliant hues. 



Fig. 2. The Violet-crowned Humming Bird (T. Stephaniodes) inhabits 

 Chili, and, according to Lesson, sips the nectar of the scarlet Loranthus. It will 

 probably be found hereafter, that this bird feeds upon the insects which prey upon 

 the nectar, rather than upon the nectar itself. It penetrates to the North during 

 winter. 



Fio". 3. Stokes* Humming Bird {T. Stohesii) There aie few Humming 



Birds which surpass this in beauty and elegance of form. The tuft of bright cobalt 

 blue, which decorates its crown, adds great beauty to the bird. It was discovered 

 by Captain King on the island of Juan Fernandez. 



Fit'. 4. 'tHE Northern Humming Bird, Male (T. Coluhris). Fig. 5. Fe- 

 male ; and 6. the Nest. — This is the Humming Bird of the United States of 

 America, and along with others lately described by Mr Audubon, are the only species 

 of this numerous tribe which migrate so far north. This species arrives in Louisiana 

 about the 10th of IMarch, but is seldom found in the middle districts before the 

 15th of April. A person standing in a garden by the side of a common Althcea in 

 bloom, will be surprised to hear the humming of their wings, and then see the birds 

 themselves within a few feet of him ; he will be astonished at the rapidity with which 

 the httle creatures rise into the air, and are out of sight and hearing the next mo- 

 ment. 



When morning dawns, and the blest sun again 

 Lifts his red glories from the eastern main, 

 Then through our woodbines, wet with glittering dews, 

 The flower-fed Humming Bird his round pursues ; 

 Sips, with inserted tube, the honey'd blooms. 

 And chirps his gratitude, as round he roams ; 

 While richest roses, though in crimson drest, 

 Shrink from the splendour of his gorgeous breast. 

 What heavenly tints in mingling radiance fly! 

 Each rapid movement gives a different dye ; 

 Like scales of burnish'd gold they dazzling show, 

 Now sink to shade — now like a furnace glow ! 



We are assured by BIr Audubon, that this species at least principally lives upon 

 msects, which it seeks out diligently in the nectarium of the flowers, where a great 

 number of insects are always to be found, attracted by the honey. These it rapidly 

 abstracts with its tongue. 



Fio-. 7. The Crested Humming Bird, Male (T. Cristatus). Fig. 8. Female. 

 — This pretty little species is a native of the islands of Martinique and Trinite. Its 

 breast is emerald green with iridescent blue reflections. The female is devoid of a 

 crest. 



Fig. 9. The Purple Hujoiing Bird (T. Cceliffena). — Mexico is the native 

 country of this species, where it was first discovered by M. F. Prevost. It ranks 

 among the larger species ; and although having no great variety of colours in its 

 plumage, is, however, a very beautiful bird. 



Fig. 10. Wagler's Huslming Bird (T. Wagleri'i). — The remarkable form of 

 the crest of this species distinguishes it from all others of its tribe ; and its ele- 

 gantly graduated tail gives it a very handsome aspect. It is a native of the warmer 

 parts of Brazil. 



Fig. 11. The Horned Humming Bird, Male (T. Cornutus). — This singularly 

 beautiful bird is a native of the elevated Compos-Geraes of Brazil. 



Fig. 12. The Half- tailed Humming Bird (T. Enicurus) is remarkable on ac- 

 count of having only sis quill feathers in its tail. It inhabits Brazil. 



are very prolific, laying aoout fifteen eggs at a time. Their voice is harsh and un- 

 pleasant. 



Fig. 1. The Black-capt Titmouse (Parus atricapillus). — This is a resident 

 species of the United States of America. In summer they confine themselves to 

 deep and woody recesses, and in winter approach the cultivated fields, and are even 

 seen frequently in farm-yards. They are very sociable in their habits, and are to be 

 met feeding along with the Nuthatch, Creeper, and small Woodpecker. Their prin- 

 cipal food consists of the seeds of pines, and those of the sunflower. They also feed 

 on insects. 



Fig. 2. The Canadian Titmouse (P. Iludsonicus) was discovered by Audu- 

 bon; it extends its range from Canada to the southern limits of the United States. 

 It is a nimble and Uvely bird, seeking insect food with great perseverance and adi-oit* 

 ness. 



Fig. 3. The Cole Titmouse (P. a^er),— This is a British species, about four 

 inches in length, and its weight only two drachms and a quarter. It abounds in the 

 pine forests of Scotland, feeding on insects and their larvae. 



Fig. 4. The Crested Titmouse (P, bicolor). — This species is found widely 

 diffused over the whole United States. It is a very noisy bird, and remarkable for 

 the variety of its notes; sometimes uttering a squeak like thot of a mouse, and at 

 others whistling aloud as if calling a dog, which it will continue for half an hour at a 

 time. It feeds on insects and their larvae. 



Fig. 5. The Azure Titmouse (P. cyanKs).— This beautiful bird is said by 

 Latham to be a native of India, while Pallas asserts that it is to be found in the north 

 of Europe, extending its range as far as Siberia. 



Fig. 6. Smith's Titmouse (P. Smithii) — This bird was found by Dr Smith in 

 Southern Africa, hut nothing is known of its habits. 



Figs. 7. and 8. The Penduline Titmouse, Male and Female (P. penduli- 

 nus) — It is an inhabitant of Europe, and is found in Italy, France, Poland, Russia, 

 and Siberia ; it frequents mai'shy grounds, and builds a pendulous nest. 



Fig. 9. The African Titmouse (P. Jfer) — This is one of the largest birds 

 of its tribe, and Uves almost exclusively on insect prey, which it searches for amon^r 

 moss and decayed bark of trees with much avidity, pulling off large pieces of bark 

 and moss with apparent case. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE — THE TITMICE. 



This is a small but sprightly race of Birds, possessed of much courage and 

 strength. Their food consists of seeds, fruit, and insects, and a few of them will 

 eat flesh. Such are their pugnacious habits, that they wiU assault birds twice 

 their own size ; and it is said that they direct their aim chiefly at the eyes. They 



Falculia Palliata. — A new bird, belonging to the Passeres, and allied to the 

 Upiipa:, has been found at IMadagascar, by M. Goudot, and forms the type of a new 

 and remarkable genus. The beak is very long, arched, compressed, or flattened, 

 hke a blade, and may be compared to that of a small scythe. The nostrils, placed 

 at the base of the beak, and pierced laterally, are not covered by the anterior feathers 

 of the head. The wings, which in length roach the middle of the tail, according to 

 the nomenclature of jM. Isidore Geoffroy, belong to the type called by him surohtus 

 — that is, having the fourth and fifth remiges the longest of all. The first, like that 

 of the Hoopoes, is extremely short, and nearly useless in flight. The tail is square, 

 and composed of twelve quills, the externals of which have their stems prolonged, in 

 a very slight degree, beyond the barbs. The feet have three toes directed forwards, 

 and a fourth backwards. All are long, thick, and furnished with curved talons, 

 enlarged at the base by a thick membrane, which has some affinity with that of the 

 Grallic. The only species now known has the head, the neck, and the under part 

 of the body, white; the back, wings, and tail, of a greenish black, with metaUie 

 lights. M. Isidore Geoffrey has named it Falculia palliata. It lives on the bor- 

 ders of streams, feeds on small aquatic insects, and the organic remains found in 

 mud. 



Cochineal. — In the Volume of the '' Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences at 

 St Petersburgh," which has just appeared, there is an account given of the Cochineal 

 of Armenia. The insect producing this dye has lately been found to exist in the 

 marshy spots which are scattered through the Valley of Araxa, feeding on the root 

 of the plant called Poa Pungens, It is said to differ from the Mexican Cochineal 

 (Coccus cacti) in having a greater number of joints in, the antennae, and in its fore- 

 feet being shorter, which are adapted for hollowing out the soil. On the termina- 

 tion of the abdomen are numerous filaments, while the Cacti has but two. M. Hamel 

 the principal author of the above paper, endeavours to establish, that the red colour 

 so often spoken of in Scripture, and also by many ancient writers, was the produce 

 of the Armenian Coccus. 



